One of the top news stories heard around the nation is the recent indefinite suspension of Ray Rice, a Rutgers alumnus and Baltimore Ravens running back. This once beloved NFL football player quickly turned from hero to villain due to a drunken fight with his girlfriend, which eventually led to Rice knocking her unconscious. His original penalty included a short, two game suspension. The news shattered the NFL, but also shocked many citizens who were offended by Rice’s light punishment. A situation like this is in the spotlight because of Rice’s fame, but it gets one thinking… Just how often does this really happen? How common is domestic violence in the U.S. and what are we doing to stop it?
As you would expect, domestic violence happens much too often around the world. As Jane K. Stoever from CNN writes, “Domestic abuse occurs at rates higher than the combined number of automobile accidents, stranger rapes, and muggings that woman experience.” As provided by Domestic Violence Statistics, a woman in America is assaulted or beaten every nine seconds. Domestic abuse does not only affect adults, as another statistic shows that every single year about 10 million children witness some form of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse happens every days and should not be taken lightly, but how exactly does one prevent domestic violence?
Bryan Bartlett of Maryland made a small yet moving message when he changed is young daughter’s Ray Rice jersey to say “Be Nice To Girls” on the back. To prevent domestic violence and lessen the commonality, the nation must follow in Bryan Barltett’s lesson and use this news story as a lesson instead of an excuse for aggression.
Our very own town of Hawthorne held a vigil on September 29 of this year, in order to spread awareness about domestic abuse. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and other than wearing purple (which is the color of the cause), Hawthorne went a step further. Hawthorne citizens gathered along with speakers such as Hawthorne’s Domestic Violence Response Team, Assistant Passaic County Prosecutor, supervisor of a shelter, a domestic violence survivor and others.
Another way the nation has been spreading awareness towards domestic violence is with the NFL’s new rule. According to ABC News, 57 cases of alleged domestic violence have occurred within the NFL since August 2006, and more than half of those players went without punishment. Because of the criticism the NFL faced due to its original light sentencing on Ray Rice, the NFL is enacting a zero tolerance rule when it comes to domestic violence. The NFL is creating educational and outreach programs for all involved or affected by abuse. The new law varies from case to case, but overall it is looking out to help stop domestic violence in the NFL and spread awareness to people all over the country.
Sometimes it takes a situation like Ray Rice’s to wake up American citizens and make them realize domestic violence is all too real. The NFL is hoping that with its help, domestic violence will be brought to everyone’s attention. Making sure that men and women are not aggressive towards their partners and do not tolerate abuse from their partners is what’s important. Spreading awareness will let those affected by domestic violence know they are not alone and hopefully stop the commonality of the crime.
