Yesterday, TMZ released a graphically violent video showing the Baltimore Raven's running back star, Ray Rice, punching his then fiancé (and now wife, Janay Palmer) in the face, knocking her out unconscious, and then dragging her limp body off the hotel elevator and dropping her to the ground. This led to the football player's termination of his contract and suspension from the league indefinitely.
In March, Rice was charged with felony assault, but his wife declined to testify. The charges were dropped and court ordered supervised anger management counseling. In July, the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell only disciplined Rice by suspending him for two games, which was widely criticized as too lenient. It was only after the release of yesterday's inside elevator video that the NFL suspended Rice.
The public is arguing over whether the NFL is simply saving face by suspending Rice after the release of the elevator video rather than addressing or punishing the problem, since the NFL should have investigated the issue more thoroughly when it initially viewed the outside elevator video.
While the media is focused on the NFL's response to the player's brutality, and whether it was properly investigated, my focus to our readership is that this media frenzy is a very poignant reminder that domestic violence happens every day to millions of women around the world, and should NOT be tolerated and must be eradicated by educating our children and the public.
It is unacceptable that Janay Rice told the media that she deeply regrets the role that she played on the night of the incident. This is a classic victim's mentality, believing that somehow she caused her fiancé to become violent.
If you are the victim of domestic violence, our firm is here to help protect you. We can help guide you by referring you to a psychologist who is trained in protecting the victims of domestic violence, and/or referring you to support groups. We can help you obtain a stay away order, which will require the abuser to vacate your residence, as well as an order of protection to keep the abuser away from you.