Is The NFL Doing Enough About Domestic Violence?
It happens all around the country. A husband hits his wife. A mother strikes her child, and it goes ignored. The reasons people don't get involved are numerous. In many instances they don't get involved because they don't know where to start. There are so many questions that have to be asked and answered, the biggest question; should I get involved? The NFL started a campaign against domestic violence. The campaign is to give their fans a place to start so that they may help in the fight against the ongoing menace that destroys lives. Is their campaign enough? If its not enough what more can they do to help battle such a big issue?
Where Do You Go Now?
Every issue has to start somewhere, even if it is a problem that is as private as domestic violence. The NFL has taken an important step by admitting that there is a challenge. What comes next? The corporation also starting playing informational spots about domestic violence during their games. They did not play those ads often during the playoffs and super bowl. Those games are arguably the largest audiences that would have seen those promotional spots. Although the NFL's season is over, the battle with domestic violence is not, which means that the public has to discover ways that they can help those that are need of assistance. One place to help is The National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Who Does It Help?
The biggest recipients of the new domestic violence policies that the NFL put in place, help the wives of the players. Their policy doesn't state how the NFL will help women that have been raped or beaten by a player. The policy only states that a player convicted of an assault will be suspended. Unfortunately domestic violence cases do not always go to trial, for what ever reason, they just don't. The women that are assaulted by the players should get more then financial compensation. They will need psychological counseling, amount other issues that will arise in their lives due to a players lack of control.
What Can You Do?
The first thing that the average person can do to help in the battle against domestic violence is getting involved. Involvement is sometimes as simple as giving an abused person refuge from their attacker. That shelter maybe a day, a week, or even longer, but you are helping to give that person aid in a troubled time. The abused may move back into their home, but you helped them at a time when they needed it most. By giving that person a place to stay, there is a chance that you are going to put yourself in the middle of something extremely violent, but you are helping. Another way to help someone that is constantly abused, get them to a shelter. The professionals that are at the facility can help your friend and minimize the violence.
Can More Be Done?
The NFL could also help people of physical violence by giving money to local shelters. Each owner of each team can donate money to a group that helps with the survivors of domestic violence. Alternatively they can use their influence in their city to raise money that can aid the many caregivers that offer assistance to the survivors.
Domestic violence is a tricky issue. Giving a couple their privacy is always at the core why someone does not step in and help the abused. The NFL has proven that you do not have to make a whole bunch of rules to effect change. The biggest thing that the NFL is doing and needs to continue building public awareness of the topic. Now the ball is in our hands to make a difference.
