Family Law Expert Challenges NFL to Overhaul Domestic Violence Policy

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A New Jersey family law expert has issued a challenge to the NFL to score a touchdown for domestic abuse victims by demonstrating that #WomenMatterNotBalls.

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Following explosive evidence of repeated domestic violence by New York Giants player Josh Brown and his subsequent one-game suspension, the kicker was released from his contract this week. Public outrage grew over both the light one-game suspension Brown received from the NFL stemming from the arrest, and the disturbing revelation that Giants management had prior knowledge of the 20 incidences of abuse because Brown had confessed to it them.

In her "Open Letter to the NFL About Domestic Violence" addressed to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and published by the Huffington Post on Monday evening, family law expert Bari Z. Weinberger challenges the NFL to implement a 7-point plan to help the league change its internal culture and take a stronger public stand against domestic violence, starting now during October's National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Key solutions Weinberger offers the NFL include:

• Mandatory domestic violence prevention education for players.
• Mandatory counseling following any allegation or charge of domestic violence.
• Greater transparency in domestic violence investigations.
• Eliminate "Locker Room Talk."
• Provide clearer language on the 6-game suspension rule to close loopholes that allow reduced suspensions, as happened in the Brown case. 
• Champion players who take a stand against domestic violence, including Steve Smith Sr. of the Ravens who recently wore purple cleats to honor his mother, a domestic violence survivor. 

"What happened in Josh Brown's relationship with his now ex-wife is a horrible tragedy. With Brown now off the Giants roster, the NFL may hope this story simply goes away…but now more than ever, the NFL must act, and act swiftly, to address domestic violence within its ranks and prevent the next 'Josh Brown' from occurring," says Bari Z. Weinberger, founder of Weinberger Law Group, New Jersey's largest divorce and family law firm.

Weinberger, a staunch advocate for abuse victims, decided to tackle the NFL directly after learning the details of the Brown case and the NFL's response to it. "Given this shocking situation, the NFL's continued lack of understanding about domestic violence is incredibly distressing. This needs to immediately be changed."

Weinberger hopes her letter sparks a deeper conversation with the NFL and welcomes lending her legal expertise. "As a lifelong football fan, I want to know that, behind the scenes, the NFL is doing everything in its power to create a high standards atmosphere that expects players to be good and honorable people, on and off the field. I welcome a conversation with Roger Goodell to discuss how the solutions I've outlined can help score a touchdown for domestic violence victims everywhere." 

Bari Z. Weinberger, Esq. is a certified Matrimonial Law attorney in New Jersey. She has received an "AV Preeminent®" Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating based on the exemplary work in the field of family law, and is the recipient of countless awards and recognitions.

Media Contact:

Bari Zell Weinberger
+1 (888) 888-0919
[email protected]

SOURCE Weinberger Law Group