NNEDV Applauds NFL’s New Plan to Address Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault

August 28, 2014

August 28, 2014 – The National Network to End Domestic Violence applauds and welcomes the newly released NFL action plan to address domestic violence and sexual assault.

“NNEDV and victim advocates were shocked this summer at the league’s two-game suspension of a player who had knocked his girlfriend unconscious,” said Kim Gandy, President and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. “Today we are pleased and heartened by the NFL’s serious plan to proactively address violence against women.”

In a letter to team owners and all personnel, NFL Commission Roger Goodell acknowledged that he “didn’t get it right” in handling the Ray Rice domestic violence assault, and outlines the NFL’s plan to address their internal workplace policies (including education of all personnel on domestic violence and resources for players and their families), player discipline after an assault, outreach to children and youth through college, high school and youth football programs, and broader social change work through public service awareness-raising activities.

“Millions of boys and young men look up to star athletes as role models, heroes and the very definition of masculinity. There’s no question that the NFL’s proactive stance, and their leadership in the public sphere, will make a real impact on our efforts to end domestic abuse.”

NNEDV will continue to work with the NFL in its ongoing efforts to address and prevent violence against women.

“Commissioner Goodell acknowledged his mistake, took ownership of it, and is determined to make the NFL a model for the nation in addressing these complex issues,” said Gandy. “This is a huge step, and we are proud to work with the NFL toward ending violence against women.”