Title 3—The President
measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond April 12, 2012. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13536.
This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
April 10, 2012.
Memorandum of April 18, 2012
Establishing Policies for Addressing Domestic Violence in the Federal Workforce
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies
Despite the considerable progress made since the initial passage of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 (Public Law 103–322), domestic violence remains a significant problem facing individuals, families, and communities. Domestic violence causes two million injuries each year, and an average of three women in the United States die each day as a result of domestic violence. While a disproportionate number of victims are women, domestic violence can affect anyone.
The effects of domestic violence spill over into the workplace. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that domestic violence costs our Nation $8 billion a year in lost productivity and health care costs alone, and other studies have suggested that the full economic impact is even higher. Moreover, many victims of domestic violence report being harassed in the workplace or experiencing other employment-related effects.
As the Nation’s largest employer, the Federal Government should act as a model in responding to the effects of domestic violence on its workforce. Executive departments and agencies (agencies) have taken steps to address this issue, including by enhancing the quality and effectiveness of security in Federal facilities and by linking victims of domestic violence with Employee Assistance Programs. By building on these important efforts and existing policies, the Federal Government can further address the effects of domestic violence on its workforce.
It is the policy of the Federal Government to promote the health and safety of its employees by acting to prevent domestic violence within the work-place and by providing support and assistance to Federal employees whose working lives are affected by such violence. Therefore, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct the following:
Section 1. Government-wide Guidance to Address the Effects of Domestic Violence on the Federal Workforce. Within 240 days of the date of this374
