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Joe Biden issued a call to action for men in the United States as he appeared on “The View” for the last time as the nation’s Vice President.

Speaking of ways to change the rape culture in America and lower instances of violence against women, he urged, “”Get men involved.”

The VP then directly addressed the men of the country, pleading, “Guys, it’s on us. We have a moral obligation. We have an obligation to step up. We have an obligation to speak out.”

The emotional request came as Biden discussed plans to continue the work he began with The Violence Against Women Act. He revealed that the legislation has helped lower violence against women and domestic partners by 67 percent. However, the rate of rape and sexual assault occurring against females aged 14-24 has not decreased at all.

Today, it is estimated that for every 1,000 female college students, there are 35 incidents of rape per year, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. And less than 5 percent of rapes against college women were reported to law enforcement.

However, Biden was optimistic for the future, stating, “We can and are able to change the culture in the United States. No man has a right, under any circumstances, other than self defense, ever, ever, ever, ever to raise his hand to a woman. None. Zero. None. There is no justification for it.”

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He plans to continue his important work on this and other issues after leaving the White House, telling co-host Whoopi Goldberg that he has assembled a staff of experts to work with him, including “the leading people in the country on cancer care, foreign policy, domestic policy and violence against women,” in an operation to be run out of the University of Delaware.

During the appearance Biden also commented on his emotional response to President Obama’s surprise presentation of his Presidential Medal of Freedom. “He and I have been through a lot,” Biden said.

“He became the only confidante beyond my immediate family when my (son) Beau was dying. He knows everything about my children, me about his children…,” the VP explained of his relationship with Obama.

READ MORE: A Fine Bromance: Why We’ll Miss the Obama-Biden Love In

“It’s grown in a way that is real, but it’s born out of this notion of just, trust… and a great deal of respect. I have enormous respect for him. It’s been a great ride,” Biden concluded.

And to the co-hosts’ dismay, Biden quashed any rumors that he would be running for president in 2020. He explained that the rumors had all spawned from a joke, though noted, “I do intend to stay deeply involved in everything I’ve done.”

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After listening to Biden’s impassioned words, co-host Joy Behar said, “We are gonna miss you, boy. Don’t go!”  

Goldberg also praised the Veep, saying, “The empathy you have for Americans is why they respond to you…. Empathy, you have to learn that if you’re going to run a nation full of all kinds of people.”

READ MORE: 5 Reasons Americans Will Miss Vice President Joe Biden

If you are in danger or need crisis intervention, call the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) at 1-800-656-HOPE to be routed to a rape crisis center near you or the National Center for Victims of Crime Victim Service Helpline at 1-800-FYI-CALL or 1-800-211-7996 (TTY/TDD).

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