Experts want to see NFL act on domestic violence

Critics of the NFL’s arbitrary policy toward domestic violence point to the contrast between the
punishments and say it’s time for the league to crack down on players who hurt women.

Three members of Congress wrote NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell asking him to reconsider Rice’s
suspension, the governor of Maine says he’ll boycott the league, and numerous groups that advocate for
women and families condemned the penalty as too lenient.

League officials may soon take action on the matter. A person familiar with the NFL’s plans says the
league is looking into increasing punishments for players involved in domestic violence. The person
spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made on such a
decision.

"The first time with marijuana is different from the first time you are knocking your wife
unconscious," said Judy Harris Kluger, executive director of Sanctuary for Families and a former
judge in New York City. "It’s not what they did was such a small sort of slap on the wrist.
Punishment to me, they should have suspended for a season at least and let him appeal. At least you send
a message that this is not tolerated, that this matters."

Rice’s suspension begins Saturday, a punishment handed down after grainy video showed him dragging his
then-fiancee off a casino elevator unconscious Feb. 15. He has not divulged what happened in the
elevator except to call his actions "totally inexcusable."

His assault charges could be expunged once he completes a diversion program. So the NFL gave him the only
punishment he likely faces in a suspension and a fine that totals more than $500,000.

"My daughter is 2 years old now. One day she’s going to know the power of Google. Me having to
explain that to her, what happened that night, that’s something I have to live with the rest of my
life," Rice said at training camp.

By comparison, Washington safety Brandon Meriweather was handed a two-game suspension for a hit during an
exhibition game. Broncos kicker Matt Prater has been suspended four games for violating terms of the
league’s alcohol program.

The NFL has guidelines setting out penalties for using illegal and performance-enhancing drugs. Domestic
violence, covered under personal conduct, has been left to the discretion of the commissioner.

The NFL’s personal code of conduct makes it clear that domestic violence will not be tolerated, Kluger
says. But she says the league didn’t follow that code in punishing Rice.

"It boggles the mind that they did not act in a way that … sent a message that this is more
serious," said Kluger, who helped oversee New York putting in courts that deal specifically with
domestic violence.

This is not a new issue for the NFL. Since January 2000, 77 players have been involved in 85 domestic
violence incidents with six being cut by their teams, according to USA Today’s NFL Arrests Database. The
NFL suspended six players for one game each, and Rice now is the second player to be suspended for two
games.

Goodell has defended the Rice suspension, saying the league can’t just "make up the discipline"
and needs to be consistent. He also said Rice took responsibility and had not been in trouble before.

U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin sent a
letter to Goodell and Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome decrying Rice’s punishment and suggesting the
Ravens also discipline the running back.

"The decision to suspend Mr. Rice for a mere two games sends the inescapable message that the NFL
does not take domestic or intimate-partner violence with the seriousness they deserve," the letter
said.

The NFL has yet to punish Carolina Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy, who is awaiting a jury trial on his
conviction for attacking his ex-girlfriend in his apartment in May. A judge gave him a 60-day suspended
jail sentence and 18 months’ probation, which he is appealing.

What the NFL does next is being watched closely, according to a consultant who helps train police,
lawyers and judges on domestic violence.

"I hope they reflect and self-assess themselves and come out and say, ‘We want to be the national
standard for how we feel about violence against women,’" said Mark Wynn, a former Nashville police
lieutenant working to prevent violence against women for 30 years.

Goodell emphasized Rice’s punishment was for a first offense. Wynn says a crisis line director told him
victims don’t usually call for help until the fifth incident.

"The stronger voice of the NFL about this that we have no tolerance for violence against women, no
tolerance of coercion, no tolerance of objectifying women, that to me would be a real pivotal moment for
professional sports where they say enough is enough," Wynn said.

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AP Pro Football Writer Howard Fendrich and News Researcher Judith Asubel contributed to this report.

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