2016 NCVRW THEME VIDEO: SERVING VICTIMS, BUILDING TRUST, RESTORING HOPE—TRANSCRIPT
MAN: Victims—they are daughters, they are sons, they are sisters.
WOMAN: When you're working with victims, the goal is to empower them, which means recognizing that you've got a lot of choices, and you get to make them.
MAN: We can be a part of getting them into a safe place.
WOMAN: Whatever it is you need, we'll help you, and when you're ready to tell us what happened, we're here to listen.
MARLENE RICHTER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE SHADE TREE: The Shade Tree serves people from all different sorts of circumstances. We help victims that decided today is the day to break free.
MELLICIA ROBINSON, YOUTH SERVICES SUPERVISOR, THE SHADE TREE: We have kids that come here from backgrounds with domestic violence. Either the mom has been abused—and, in some cases, the child has been abused—and they're fleeing from their abuser.
MARLENE RICHTER: And as soon as our survivor walks in the front door, we start saying, "How can we help?"
KENDIS PARIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING: Truckers Against Trafficking are the eyes and ears of the nation's highways, and we work in and through the trucking industry to combat the sex trafficking that's taking place along our nation's roadways.
WILLIAM B. BRADY, DRIVER, TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING: Seeing these young girls working the lots over the years that I've been driving, I've always wondered how to help them. And now we can do something about it.
LOREE COOK-DANIELS, PROGRAM AND POLICY DIRECTOR, FORGE, INC.: It was really, really important to us as FORGE to ask fairly early on: What does it mean to organize in a community that has this much trauma in it? The things that make us not whole can be victimization, it can be prejudice. I mean, there are lots of things. And, yes, we're focused on transgender survivors of violence, but in our heads, we know we're talking everybody.
MARLENE RICHTER: Our primary goal was to remove any barriers that would keep a woman and her children from coming in. But when they came in and they left a pet behind, they wouldn't stay. They would go back because they knew that their animal was going to be abused or was starved, and that's their best friend.
MELLICIA ROBINSON: It's just amazing for the families to be able to come and bring their dogs with them, or their cats, or whatever animal they might have, because their animals are a part of their family. And at some point, an animal could be therapeutic for a child.
MARLENE RICHTER: The children do so well. They trust us. They intuitively know, if we're kind to animals, we're going to be kind to people. By meeting the survivor where they are, that's the very first step in building trust.
WILLIAM B. BRADY: In my lifetime, I never thought I'd have an opportunity to help somebody. And I actually have that opportunity now to be able to do that.
MAN: When you do what you do in order to get things...
PAUL J. ENOS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NEVADA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION: We decided we have a moral imperative because this kind of activity—illegal activity—is happening at truck stops, at places that trucks frequent, so we want to make sure that we are part of the solution.
KENDIS PARIS: We would like to see the guy who used to think they just wanted to be out here... Now he is actively looking. When he sees something, he's making a call. When law enforcement arrives on the scene, he is the one assisting, giving any more evidence. He is the one who's testifying in the court against that trafficker. We're creating a pathway where none existed, really.
LOREE COOK-DANIELS: The overlap of trauma and transness is so heavy. We are examples of survivors that went on to do advocacy work. So we've moved out into the polyvictimization area. We know there's a very good chance that they're also survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, maybe hate crimes. So a big part of our job when we train service providers is to explain how transgender people are different and how some of our needs are different. But we work really hard to put it in a context of humanity. The end goal is to empower everyone to be who they are and to know there's hope for healing.
This year marks 30 years since the passage of the Victims of Crime Act and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, and two decades since the Violence Against Women Act became law. These milestones represented major steps toward upholding the rights of millions of Americans who become victims of crime each year -- from women seeking shelter after leaving abusive relationships to families demanding justice for a loved one's murder to children struggling to rebuild their lives after escaping trafficking rings. During National Crime Victims' Rights Week, we stand with these men, women, and children, and offer our support to crime victims everywhere.
My Administration is taking action to prevent crime, especially against those most at risk. Every American should have a chance to pursue their education in peace and security, yet one in five women is sexually assaulted at college. Because this is unacceptable, I created the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault. And to achieve justice for more survivors of sexual assault from every walk of life, my new budget proposes funding to help process rape kits, develop units to pursue cold cases, and support victims throughout the process.
We also know that young men of color are most likely to become victims of violent crime, and the odds are often stacked against them in ways that require targeted solutions. Earlier this year, I launched the My Brother's Keeper initiative, a program focused on helping boys and young men of color stay on track through some of life's most critical moments. With partners across the public and private sectors, we will give more young Americans the support they need as they face great obstacles, and we will work to decrease their chances of becoming victims of crime.
This week, let us recommit to preventing crime and strengthening rights and services for all victims. Together, we can expand opportunity and build a safer, more just world.
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 April 6 through April 12, 2014, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this week by participating in events that raise awareness of victims' rights and services, and by volunteering to serve victims in their time of need.
In recent decades, our Nation has made tremendous progress in reducing the crime rate and building safer communities for all Americans. Yet tragically, millions of people continue to be victimized by crime each year -- it happens every day, and it can happen to anyone. When one person's life is shaken by crime, it tears at the fabric of our Nation and erodes the values we cherish. That is why we all must help rebuild the promise of justice and fairness for those whose lives are forever changed by crime. This week, as we stand with these men, women, and children, we renew our commitment to supporting them in their time of need, and we reaffirm the basic human right of all people to live free from violence.
All crime victims have fundamental rights; however, many underserved populations face significant barriers to accessing the protections and assistance they deserve. That is why as my Administration has worked to bolster the rights, services, and support for all victims of crime, we have particularly focused on at-risk communities. I was proud to sign the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which included additional provisions to help immigrants and Native American communities, as well as new protections to ensure victims do not face discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity when they seek assistance. And we are investing in training programs for law enforcement and other professionals who assist underserved individuals.
My Administration is committed to standing up for the rights of those affected by all types of crime, and we are taking action to stop crime before it happens. Last year, I established the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault to improve efforts to prevent and effectively respond to sexual assault on our Nation's campuses. The Federal Government is developing new tools to assist victims of economic and financial crimes. We are also working to implement the recommendations from my Task Force on 21st Century Policing, which generated a series of practical, commonsense proposals to help reduce crime while building public trust. And we continue our work to reduce other violent and heinous crimes -- such as human trafficking, elder abuse, and violence against persons with disabilities -- and to improve access to necessary services for the victims of these crimes.
When communities come together to declare that crime is not tolerated, to empower victims, and to work toward a brighter tomorrow, it gives new life to our democracy and our system of justice. During National Crime Victims' Rights Week, we lift up service providers, criminal justice professionals, and all who are committed to improving efforts to prevent and respond to the effects of crime. Together, let us rededicate ourselves to the important work of supporting victims' rights and continue our efforts to build a safer, stronger, more just future for all Americans.
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 April 19 through April 25, 2015, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this week by participating in events that raise awareness of victims' rights and services, and by volunteering to serve victims in their time of need.
Undaunted by challenge and unceasing in pursuit of progress, our Nation has pushed the boundaries of possibility throughout our history. Today, while cancer remains among the leading causes of death around the world and the second leading cause of death here at home, cancer research is on the cusp of major breakthroughs, offering incredible promise to those suffering from this disease. This month, we remember the loved ones we have lost, pledge support for the families we can still save, and reaffirm our commitment to curing cancer once and for all.
Cancer can affect people of all ages, races, and backgrounds, but certain risk factors exist that can often be mitigated. Limiting alcohol consumption, controlling sun exposure, exercising, getting recommended cancer screenings, and maintaining a healthy diet are all ways to reduce your risk of getting cancer. Additionally, smoking remains one of the top causes of cancer, responsible for 1 in 3 cancer deaths in the United States. By promoting resources to help people quit smoking and limiting exposure to secondhand smoke, we can reduce individuals' cancer risks. Help for quitting smoking can be found at www.SmokeFree.gov or by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW. I urge all Americans to visit www.Cancer.gov or www.CDC.gov/Cancer to learn more.
My Administration is committed to reaching a future free from cancer in all its forms. Earlier this year, I created the White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force. Chaired by Vice President Joe Biden, this effort aims to accelerate our progress toward prevention, treatment, and cures by putting ourselves on a path to achieving at least a decade's worth of advances in 5 years. Together with patients, philanthropies, private industry, and the medical and scientific communities, the United States can be the country that finally finds a cure for this disease, and we have already proposed a $1 billion initiative to jumpstart this critical work. The Affordable Care Act continues to help people with cancer and at risk for cancer by prohibiting insurers from denying coverage to anyone based on a preexisting condition and requiring insurers to cover recommended preventive benefits without cost-sharing. And the Precision Medicine Initiative that I launched last year continues to work toward a new era of medicine that offers targeted treatment at the right time to individual patients by accounting for their unique genes, health histories, and other personal factors.
Our Nation has made extraordinary strides in the fight against cancer, but much work remains to be done. With more than one and a half million new cases of cancer expected in the United States this year, we owe it to everyone currently living with it and to anyone at risk to support all those working to defeat it. During National Cancer Control Month, let us remember those who lost their battle with cancer, and let us renew our efforts to save lives and spare heartbreak by reaching a future without this devastating disease.
The Congress of the United States, by joint resolution approved March 28, 1938 (52 Stat. 148; 36 U.S.C. 103), as amended, has requested the President to issue an annual proclamation declaring April as "Cancer Control Month."
MAN: Victims—they are daughters, they are sons, they are sisters.
WOMAN: When you're working with victims, the goal is to empower them, which means recognizing that you've got a lot of choices, and you get to make them.
MAN: We can be a part of getting them into a safe place.
WOMAN: Whatever it is you need, we'll help you, and when you're ready to tell us what happened, we're here to listen.
MARLENE RICHTER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE SHADE TREE: The Shade Tree serves people from all different sorts of circumstances. We help victims that decided today is the day to break free.
MELLICIA ROBINSON, YOUTH SERVICES SUPERVISOR, THE SHADE TREE: We have kids that come here from backgrounds with domestic violence. Either the mom has been abused—and, in some cases, the child has been abused—and they're fleeing from their abuser.
MARLENE RICHTER: And as soon as our survivor walks in the front door, we start saying, "How can we help?"
KENDIS PARIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING: Truckers Against Trafficking are the eyes and ears of the nation's highways, and we work in and through the trucking industry to combat the sex trafficking that's taking place along our nation's roadways.
WILLIAM B. BRADY, DRIVER, TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING: Seeing these young girls working the lots over the years that I've been driving, I've always wondered how to help them. And now we can do something about it.
LOREE COOK-DANIELS, PROGRAM AND POLICY DIRECTOR, FORGE, INC.: It was really, really important to us as FORGE to ask fairly early on: What does it mean to organize in a community that has this much trauma in it? The things that make us not whole can be victimization, it can be prejudice. I mean, there are lots of things. And, yes, we're focused on transgender survivors of violence, but in our heads, we know we're talking everybody.
MARLENE RICHTER: Our primary goal was to remove any barriers that would keep a woman and her children from coming in. But when they came in and they left a pet behind, they wouldn't stay. They would go back because they knew that their animal was going to be abused or was starved, and that's their best friend.
MELLICIA ROBINSON: It's just amazing for the families to be able to come and bring their dogs with them, or their cats, or whatever animal they might have, because their animals are a part of their family. And at some point, an animal could be therapeutic for a child.
MARLENE RICHTER: The children do so well. They trust us. They intuitively know, if we're kind to animals, we're going to be kind to people. By meeting the survivor where they are, that's the very first step in building trust.
WILLIAM B. BRADY: In my lifetime, I never thought I'd have an opportunity to help somebody. And I actually have that opportunity now to be able to do that.
MAN: When you do what you do in order to get things...
PAUL J. ENOS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NEVADA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION: We decided we have a moral imperative because this kind of activity—illegal activity—is happening at truck stops, at places that trucks frequent, so we want to make sure that we are part of the solution.
KENDIS PARIS: We would like to see the guy who used to think they just wanted to be out here... Now he is actively looking. When he sees something, he's making a call. When law enforcement arrives on the scene, he is the one assisting, giving any more evidence. He is the one who's testifying in the court against that trafficker. We're creating a pathway where none existed, really.
LOREE COOK-DANIELS: The overlap of trauma and transness is so heavy. We are examples of survivors that went on to do advocacy work. So we've moved out into the polyvictimization area. We know there's a very good chance that they're also survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, maybe hate crimes. So a big part of our job when we train service providers is to explain how transgender people are different and how some of our needs are different. But we work really hard to put it in a context of humanity. The end goal is to empower everyone to be who they are and to know there's hope for healing.
This year marks 30 years since the passage of the Victims of Crime Act and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, and two decades since the Violence Against Women Act became law. These milestones represented major steps toward upholding the rights of millions of Americans who become victims of crime each year -- from women seeking shelter after leaving abusive relationships to families demanding justice for a loved one's murder to children struggling to rebuild their lives after escaping trafficking rings. During National Crime Victims' Rights Week, we stand with these men, women, and children, and offer our support to crime victims everywhere.
My Administration is taking action to prevent crime, especially against those most at risk. Every American should have a chance to pursue their education in peace and security, yet one in five women is sexually assaulted at college. Because this is unacceptable, I created the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault. And to achieve justice for more survivors of sexual assault from every walk of life, my new budget proposes funding to help process rape kits, develop units to pursue cold cases, and support victims throughout the process.
We also know that young men of color are most likely to become victims of violent crime, and the odds are often stacked against them in ways that require targeted solutions. Earlier this year, I launched the My Brother's Keeper initiative, a program focused on helping boys and young men of color stay on track through some of life's most critical moments. With partners across the public and private sectors, we will give more young Americans the support they need as they face great obstacles, and we will work to decrease their chances of becoming victims of crime.
This week, let us recommit to preventing crime and strengthening rights and services for all victims. Together, we can expand opportunity and build a safer, more just world.
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 April 6 through April 12, 2014, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this week by participating in events that raise awareness of victims' rights and services, and by volunteering to serve victims in their time of need.
In recent decades, our Nation has made tremendous progress in reducing the crime rate and building safer communities for all Americans. Yet tragically, millions of people continue to be victimized by crime each year -- it happens every day, and it can happen to anyone. When one person's life is shaken by crime, it tears at the fabric of our Nation and erodes the values we cherish. That is why we all must help rebuild the promise of justice and fairness for those whose lives are forever changed by crime. This week, as we stand with these men, women, and children, we renew our commitment to supporting them in their time of need, and we reaffirm the basic human right of all people to live free from violence.
All crime victims have fundamental rights; however, many underserved populations face significant barriers to accessing the protections and assistance they deserve. That is why as my Administration has worked to bolster the rights, services, and support for all victims of crime, we have particularly focused on at-risk communities. I was proud to sign the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which included additional provisions to help immigrants and Native American communities, as well as new protections to ensure victims do not face discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity when they seek assistance. And we are investing in training programs for law enforcement and other professionals who assist underserved individuals.
My Administration is committed to standing up for the rights of those affected by all types of crime, and we are taking action to stop crime before it happens. Last year, I established the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault to improve efforts to prevent and effectively respond to sexual assault on our Nation's campuses. The Federal Government is developing new tools to assist victims of economic and financial crimes. We are also working to implement the recommendations from my Task Force on 21st Century Policing, which generated a series of practical, commonsense proposals to help reduce crime while building public trust. And we continue our work to reduce other violent and heinous crimes -- such as human trafficking, elder abuse, and violence against persons with disabilities -- and to improve access to necessary services for the victims of these crimes.
When communities come together to declare that crime is not tolerated, to empower victims, and to work toward a brighter tomorrow, it gives new life to our democracy and our system of justice. During National Crime Victims' Rights Week, we lift up service providers, criminal justice professionals, and all who are committed to improving efforts to prevent and respond to the effects of crime. Together, let us rededicate ourselves to the important work of supporting victims' rights and continue our efforts to build a safer, stronger, more just future for all Americans.
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 April 19 through April 25, 2015, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this week by participating in events that raise awareness of victims' rights and services, and by volunteering to serve victims in their time of need.
Undaunted by challenge and unceasing in pursuit of progress, our Nation has pushed the boundaries of possibility throughout our history. Today, while cancer remains among the leading causes of death around the world and the second leading cause of death here at home, cancer research is on the cusp of major breakthroughs, offering incredible promise to those suffering from this disease. This month, we remember the loved ones we have lost, pledge support for the families we can still save, and reaffirm our commitment to curing cancer once and for all.
Cancer can affect people of all ages, races, and backgrounds, but certain risk factors exist that can often be mitigated. Limiting alcohol consumption, controlling sun exposure, exercising, getting recommended cancer screenings, and maintaining a healthy diet are all ways to reduce your risk of getting cancer. Additionally, smoking remains one of the top causes of cancer, responsible for 1 in 3 cancer deaths in the United States. By promoting resources to help people quit smoking and limiting exposure to secondhand smoke, we can reduce individuals' cancer risks. Help for quitting smoking can be found at www.SmokeFree.gov or by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW. I urge all Americans to visit www.Cancer.gov or www.CDC.gov/Cancer to learn more.
My Administration is committed to reaching a future free from cancer in all its forms. Earlier this year, I created the White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force. Chaired by Vice President Joe Biden, this effort aims to accelerate our progress toward prevention, treatment, and cures by putting ourselves on a path to achieving at least a decade's worth of advances in 5 years. Together with patients, philanthropies, private industry, and the medical and scientific communities, the United States can be the country that finally finds a cure for this disease, and we have already proposed a $1 billion initiative to jumpstart this critical work. The Affordable Care Act continues to help people with cancer and at risk for cancer by prohibiting insurers from denying coverage to anyone based on a preexisting condition and requiring insurers to cover recommended preventive benefits without cost-sharing. And the Precision Medicine Initiative that I launched last year continues to work toward a new era of medicine that offers targeted treatment at the right time to individual patients by accounting for their unique genes, health histories, and other personal factors.
Our Nation has made extraordinary strides in the fight against cancer, but much work remains to be done. With more than one and a half million new cases of cancer expected in the United States this year, we owe it to everyone currently living with it and to anyone at risk to support all those working to defeat it. During National Cancer Control Month, let us remember those who lost their battle with cancer, and let us renew our efforts to save lives and spare heartbreak by reaching a future without this devastating disease.
The Congress of the United States, by joint resolution approved March 28, 1938 (52 Stat. 148; 36 U.S.C. 103), as amended, has requested the President to issue an annual proclamation declaring April as "Cancer Control Month."
