Domestic abuse getting more attention after Ray Rice incident

It is sadly the case that it often takes a tragedy or scandal to bring attention to a cause or light that has been affecting people for years without the wider media asking questions and demanding answers.

This routine series of events occurred with the recent violent outburst by former NFL running back Ray Rice, while he was riding in an elevator with the woman he has since married.

The elevator security camera recorded Rice punching his fiancee unconscious. The relationship between Rice and his now wife, as well as any legal consequences he may face and the future of his career in the NFL, have become footnotes in what has evolved into a greater national conversation about domestic violence.

The president and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, has said that this incident has created a nationwide discussion about domestic violence in our country on a scale she has not seen in “40 years.”

After this incident grabbed the spotlight, a rise in the number of reported domestic violence incidents has risen, with the national hotline receiving an 85 percent increase in caller traffic during the month of September as compared to August. Domestic violence is a serious issue for all the parties concerned, but it is important to remember that not everyone accused of such a terrible crime is automatically guilty.

The case involving Ray Rice is highlighted by his fame as well as the fact that the event was caught on a security camera. But whether you are a national figure or an ordinary person living in Kentucky or Tennessee, an accusation of battery or domestic violence can cause damage to a reputation before a proper legal inquiry is held.

It is difficult to recover from a guilty verdict in the court of public opinion, but having an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side can ensure that your rights are not overlooked in the court system.

Source: Chillicothe Gazette, “Ray Rice scandal boosts domestic violence awareness,” Jona Ison, Oct. 4, 2014