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How Ray Rice Brought Domestic Abuse into the Spotlight

On Monday, September 8, former NFL standout, Ray Rice, was released by his Baltimore Ravens team and suspended indefinitely by the commissioner, Roger Goodell, after a video from a hotel elevator showed him punching his fiancé in an elevator and dragging her out by her arms while unconscious. Rice originally admitted his wrong-doing earlier this year and was suspended for two games, but the new video meant a new penalty.

As a criminal defense attorney in New Orleans, I have heard many cases involving domestic abuse and worked with victims who refuse to press charges against their partner such as Janay Rice. This behavior is unacceptable, but it is also important to remember that everyone involved has rights, and the whole story must be presented in order to ensure that no one’s rights are violated in court.

Domestic Violence in the United States

Domestic violence and abuse is a tragedy for all those involved, including family members of those involved. Fights, whether verbal or physical, can happen anywhere, in private or in public.

Statistics show that one in four women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime. However, women are not the only victims. Although women experienced more than 4 million physical assaults and rapes because of their partners, men are victims of nearly 3 million physical assaults. Domestic abuse can be cyclical. Every year, more than 3 million children witness domestic violence in their home. These children are more likely to get sick, suffer abuse of their own, have frequent headaches or stomachaches, and are more tired throughout the day. Sadly, girls who witness domestic violence are more vulnerable to abuse as teens and adults, while boys who witness domestic violence are far more likely to become abusers of their partners and/or children as adults. (Statistics from safeHorizon)

How Has Ray Rice Changed the Domestic Violence Landscape?

Believe it or not, the NFL did not have a policy against players involved in domestic violence until the Ray Rice incident. The issue is simple, though, as most domestic disputes are personal matters that rarely spill over into their professional playing careers. Does that make it okay? Absolutely not. But, as we can see with the Rice’s, it is not something that a couple wants in the spotlight, whether it’s on television, talked about among friends or simply visible in public. As a matter of fact, most domestic violence incidents are never reported.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline CEO, Katie Ray-Jones, the hotline normally receives approximately 500 to 600 calls per day from domestic violence victims, their concerned friends or family members. Since the second Rice video was released and distributed among the media, the hotline has received over 1,000 calls per day. An out-pouring of women who hadn’t realized that they were victims of domestic violence, or ashamed to admit it, finally had the courage to reach out.

Athletes in Trouble for Domestic Violence

This Just In: In another case of domestic violence that led to a homicide, Oscar Pistorius, an Olympic Sprinter known as “Blade Runner” was found not guilty of premeditated murder for the 2013 death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamt. The criminal court judge still has to decide whether he is guilty of negligent homicide. In order to make the decision, the judge will have to determine whether shooting four bullets through his bathroom door was ‘reasonable’ under the circumstance. A conviction for this ‘less included offense’ is likely.

Are You a Victim of Domestic Violence or Accused of Domestic Abuse?

If you believe you are a victim of domestic assault or battery, you should call the police right away. If you are nervous or scared to reach out to the police because you do not want your partner to find out, then you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233. As stated before, domestic violence is a personal matter and you should not feel ashamed to reach out to someone.

If you have recently been accused or arrested for a domestic abuse charge, please feel free to give your local and experienced domestic abuse attorney a call for a free initial consultation. I can be reached by e-mail or by calling (504) 264-9492. Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, it is extremely important to be in touch with a criminal defense lawyer who will investigate the details surrounding your arrest. With the right defense, you may have the chance to have charges dismissed or reduced.

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