WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- President Obama proclaimed October Domestic Violence Awareness Month, calling on Americans to speak against domestic violence and support victim assistance.
During the month, "we recognize the significant achievements we have made in reducing domestic violence in America and we recommit ourselves to the important work still before us. Despite tremendous progress," Obama said Monday in the proclamation.
The proclamation said an average of three women in America die because of domestic violence every day. One in four women and one in 13 men experience domestic violence during their lifetime, the proclamation said.
"The ramifications of domestic violence are staggering. Young women are among the most vulnerable, suffering the highest rates of intimate partner violence," Obama said in the proclamation. "Exposure to domestic violence puts our young men and women in danger of long-term physical, psychological and emotional harm."
The proclamation reviewed efforts the Obama administration has taken to curb domestic violence and end it, including provisions in the healthcare law, an inter-agency strategy to prevent and stop violence against women, and re-authorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.
"During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we recommit to making sure that no one suffers alone, and to assisting those who need help in reaching a safer tomorrow," Obama said. "I call on all Americans to speak out against domestic violence and support local efforts to assist victims of these crimes in finding the help and healing they need."
