As a society are we doing enough to fight domestic violence?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 00:52:09 -0400

After the new video clip of a football player hitting his then fiancée the Baltimore Ravens let him go. He was previously suspended by the league for two games for an earlier video. He is not indefinitely suspended. Do you think that it is because of the video and the public outcry from it that made the team and the league take a harder stance? Or do you think that they are getting a wake up call of what domestic violence really is and that there is no place for it at all?

Are we doing enough as a society to stop domestic violence? Are we doing enough within our military community?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 12:52 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 00:52:49 -0400

Some background information:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/09/sports/football/forget-video-the-facts-are-shocking-enough.html?_r=0

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Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 9 at 2014 7:38 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 07:38:59 -0400

Are we doing enough to fight domestic violence, suicide, bullying, rape, sexual harassment, teen pregnancy, alcoholism, drug abuse, STDs, discrimination, poverty, homelessness, hunger, child abuse, gangs, prostitution, crime, the list is nearly endless. We, as a society, and within the military community have taken measures to educate and increase awareness. There are programs in place to deal with victims, there are laws to deal with violators. Could there be more programs, and more, or more stringent laws, sure, but will it END any of these problems that we, as a society in general, face everyday? I don't see how. We live in an age where everything is an issue, and everything is a priority; the issue then becomes when everything is a priority, then nothing is truly a priority. What is the answer? If I knew that, I most certainly would share it with the world. I am just as frustrated as I'm sure the rest of you are. End rant.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 9 at 2014 8:57 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 08:57:30 -0400

I want to see us move more towards an "Escape From New York" penal system. IMHO, I don't believe in this criminal registration thing - sex offenders, etc. While it ostracizes these criminals it doesn't get them out of society all together.

Response by Cpl Matthew Wall made Sep 9 at 2014 9:20 AM

Cpl Matthew Wall — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 09:20:11 -0400

First, this was at a hotel and was not domestic violence, but assault and battery, which he was tried for. Second, the public outcry didn't get much done except for the new rule of 6 game suspension for first offense and a ban for second offense. Third, the video is what did Ray Rice in. If that video hadn't come out to the public then he would be playing in week 3. However, the video came out and the Ravens made a decision.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Sep 9 at 2014 11:00 AM

MSG Floyd Williams — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 11:00:17 -0400

No, as a society we aren't stern enough about domestic violence.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 9 at 2014 11:12 AM

SGT Richard H. — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 11:12:54 -0400

Simply put, as long as domestic violence exists, we as a society are, in fact, NOT doing enough.

Caveat: This does not include giving your children a proper and appropriate spanking when needed.

Response by Cpl Peter Martuneac made Sep 9 at 2014 11:38 AM

Cpl Peter Martuneac — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 11:38:50 -0400

I don't like saying "We're not doing enough to stop..." and you can fill in the blank. You'll never "stop" wrong behavior. This is a controversial opinion, but people are inherently bad. Most of us are decent enough to suppress our urge to be selfish and act wrongly, but there are some who just won't. The best we can do is appropriately punish the latter and hope it discourages others from following in their path.

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Sep 9 at 2014 12:37 PM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 12:37:57 -0400

I don't think we do enough to deter any crime to be honest with you Sir. There are no set standards on punishment. If you get ni trouble for one thing you can just plead down and get a lesser punishment. I think it is deplorable that a DA saw this dvideo and allowed Ray Rice to plead down to whatever the charge was and get probation/counseling. It happens all the time and is CRAP.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 1:54 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 13:54:10 -0400

No. There is something called the Dark Figure of crime. This is a figure of crime that is not reported. DV is often not reported for the fear of losing a love interest or embarrassment. Women should be empowered to control what they are going through. This is a horrible situation to find yourself. The dependence on a man is no reason to excuse any acts of violence.

What is odd is that we all knew that he hit and knocked her out already. That didn't matter really until they saw the act. The act was the same violence regardless of the video. Do we have to have a video to show how heinous the act was.

I recall patrolling one night and finding a young girl crying that was assault. He was obviously injured and suffered substantial facial injuries. But she didn't want to report. She didn't tell me anything but she got hit. I couldn't do anything. I didn't know where she was at or who was there at the time of the incident. She didn't want any LE involvement. I really pity her for the life that she will live will be filled with violence.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 4:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 16:00:03 -0400

In My opinion I believe there are plenty of very visible programs and advertisements to bring to light the need to fight domestic violence (no pun intended) and to advocate against it. In all reality we can lobby all day and put out mass amounts of training/ preventative material and it will still happen. I do understand that the elimination of domestic violence in our society will never happen, but the more we put out there to ensure people are aware of the damage domestic violence causes and the warning signs to prevent it the better. There will always be more we can do. It is our duty as a functional member of society to stand up, help prevent and mentor others on the negative effects of domestic violence to hopefully help someone out there in danger of committing or being a victim of domestic violence.