Domestic violence is a very serious and very common crime committed by male athletes, and the male athletes that commit this crime have the privilege of fame and fortune, which allows this issue to be swept under the rug.
The MLB has finally worked with domestic violence organizations to create a policy that encompasses domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse—and includes a process for training, disciplining, and providing services for both athletes and victims.
However, the issue is not creating a policy, the issue is enforcing it. As we have seen over the last couple years, domestic violence is a recurring problem in the NFL, as illustrated through cases such as Ray Rice, Greg Hardy, and Ray McDonald. Additional light was shed on domestic violence in the MLB when Colorado Rockies player Jose Reyes was arrested this past October after assaulting his wife, Katherine. He was then released immediately on bail.
Over and over we hear the quote “we take domestic violence very seriously,” however, this statement is not demonstrated in practice. Returning to Ray Rice’s case earlier last year, is a 2 game suspension really “taking domestic violence very seriously”? What is even more disturbing is that many did not believe the victim (Janay Rice) until they saw with their own eyes her being dragged unconsciously by her hair out of the elevator.
It is important that organizations that have the ability to change culture and serve as role models for the greater population address issues such as domestic violence with great care and concern, and work towards ending it.
To see a brief summary of what the policy consists of, click on the following link: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/144508842/mlb-mlbpa-agree-on-domestic-violence-policy
