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Domestic Violence
By Tom Fransen, LCSW
Recently, the NFL – representing one of the most popular sports in America – has been rocked by several blinding public relations nightmares due to a rash of domestic violence allegations and child abuse, perpetrated by some of its most popular players.
Examples Include:
- Ray Rice punched out his fiancée and dragged her body out of an elevator
- Adrian Peterson disciplined his 4-year old with a “switch” (tree branch) to the point of bruising all over his body and damaging his scrotum.
- Greg Hardy threw a woman in a bathtub and threatening her life
- Jonathan Dwyer head butted his wife for refusing sex and he also assaulted a child.
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Americans Paying Attention to Domestic Violence Scandals
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that a majority of Americans believe sponsors should pull their support from the National Football League because of how the organization has handled issues involving domestic violence.
These are big scandals to be sure. The rapid nature in which they have occurred has helped to shine a bright and uncomfortable light on the issues which do not get nearly enough attention.
Because of the star power attached to some of the NFL players involved in these scandals, the larger topic of domestic violence and child abuse can no longer be swept under the rug.
Since the Ray Rice elevator incident, the league has back pedaled and become more serious in addressing violence towards women and children. NFL chief Roger Goodell has adopted a much firmer policy regarding these perpetrators, such as suspending Adrian Peterson indefinitely.
The league has hired experts in the field of domestic violence as consultants, and has agreed to partner with National Domestic Violence Hotline and National Sexual Violence Resource Center. It will also implement league wide education on the issue.
Domestic Violence is a Real Issue in America
Domestic violence is often hidden and minimized in our society and the statistics are sobering. Nearly 25% of women in the United States have experienced some form of domestic violence. There are an estimated 1 million cases of domestic abuse each year, according to Justice Department. The health costs associated with domestic violence hover around a staggering 5.8 billion dollars.
Politicians and others in positions of authority will be less likely to minimize issues involving violence against women and children, fearing public backlash. More resources should be allocated to address the problem, and hopefully the most vulnerable of us will be spared the damage and trauma of violence by those who are supposed to love them the most.
Final Thoughts
The Chicago therapists and counselors of the Couples Counseling Center urge people everywhere to become better educated on the topic of Domestic abuse. We encourage you to read about the signs of abuse and explore different resources.
Please think about your personal safety in personal relationships or in the context of relationships.
For more information on domestic violence contact
And if you live in the Chicagoland area and are seeking counseling services, including anger management counseling, please call us at 773.598.7797[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]