Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 1 / Tuesday, January 3, 2012 / Presidential Documents 211 

Proclamation 8769 of December 28, 2011 

National Stalking Awareness Month, 2012 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

In our schools and in our neighborhoods, at home and in workplaces across 

our Nation, stalking endangers the physical and emotional well-being of 

millions of American men and women every year. Too often, stalking goes 

unreported and unaddressed, and we must take action against this unacceptable abuse. This month, we stand with all those who have been affected 

by stalking and strengthen our resolve to prevent this crime before it occurs. 

Stalkers inspire fear through intimidation, explicit or implied threats, and 

nonconsensual communication—often by telephone, text message, or email— 

that can cause severe emotional and physical distress. Many victims suffer 

anxiety attacks, feelings of anger or helplessness, and depression. Fearing 

for their safety, some are forced to relocate or change jobs to protect themselves. And, tragically, stalking can be a precursor to more violent offenses, 

including sexual assault and homicide. The consequences of this crime 

are real, and they take a profound and ongoing toll on men, women, teens, 

and children across our country. 

Despite the dangerous reality of stalking, public awareness and legal responses to this crime remain limited. New data show that one in six women 

and one in 19 men have experienced stalking that caused them to be very 

fearful or feel that they or someone close to them were in immediate physical 

danger. Among men and women alike, victims are most commonly stalked 

by current or former intimate partners, and young adults are at the highest 

risk for stalking victimization. Though stalking can occur in any community, 

shame, fear of retribution, or concerns that they will not be supported 

lead many victims to forego reporting the crime to the police. As we strive 

to reverse this trend, we must do more to promote public awareness and 

support for survivors of stalking. 

My Administration is working to advance protection and services for stalking 

victims, empower survivors to break the cycle of abuse, and bring an end 

to violence against women and men. With unprecedented coordination between Federal agencies, we are promoting new tools to decrease the incidence 

of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, and we 

are taking action to ensure perpetrators are held accountable. To reinforce 

these efforts, advocates, law enforcement officials, and others who work 

with victims must continue to improve their capacity to respond with swift 

and comprehensive action. From raising awareness to pursuing criminal 

justice, all of us have a role to play in stopping this senseless and harmful 

behavior. 

This month, let us come together to prevent abuse, violence, and harassment 

in all their forms and renew our commitment to bring care and support 

to those in need. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2012 as 

National Stalking Awareness Month. I call on all Americans to learn to 

recognize the signs of stalking, acknowledge stalking as a serious crime, 


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212 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 1 / Tuesday, January 3, 2012 / Presidential Documents 

and urge those impacted not to be afraid to speak out or ask for help. 

Let us also resolve to support victims and survivors, and to create communities that are secure and supportive for all Americans. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth 

day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of 

the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 

thirty-sixth. 

[FR Doc. 2011–33797 

Filed 12–30–11; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3295–F2–P 


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