"He was very attentive, responsive:" Roger Goodell visits National Domestic Violence hotline
AUSTIN, Texas (WITI/AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell took some time off from a big weekend of football to visit the headquarters of the National Domestic Violence hotline in Texas.
Goodell and several league officials walked into the Austin office about 7:15 p.m. Saturday, September 27th for what was expected to be a private two-hour meeting. He and the league have been heavily criticized for how they handled the recent suspension of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, who punched his then-fiancee in the face.
Asked for comment, Goodell only said he's "doing the work, as they say" and that he was invited to visit the hotline.
"He was very attentive. Very responsive. Asked wonderful questions. At one point, he was visibly moved to tears as he heard stories from our advocates about what women were encountering, calls we took today," Katie Ray-Jones with the National Domestic Violence hotline said.
The hotline was founded in 1996 and is housed in an unmarked building. The hotline's CEO says the center has seen an 84 percent increase in call volume since the release of the Ray Rice video -- everything from women who have never reached out for help before, to women who have sought help before, but were frustrated about what to do.
Goodell met with 11 former players earlier this week and was told the league must act immediately when someone is accused of domestic violence.
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Milwaukee offers quality and confidential resources for adults and youth affected by domestic violence. Victims, family members, batterers and the community at large can get help identifying support by calling the 24-hour domestic violence hotline at (414) 933-2722.
A listing of resources is also available through the Milwaukee Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault’s “You Are Not Alone” brochure, which is available in English, Spanish and Hmong. The brochure and other support information are available here, and at www.milwaukee.gov/staysafe.”
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In April, Gov. Scott Walker signed into law three bills that offers new protections for victims of domestic abuse.
The first puts in place a monitoring procedure to force abusers under injunctions to surrender their firearms.
The second puts “stalking” in the definition of domestic abuse.
The third creates better linkages between law enforcement and victim services providers — which will help officers give victims needed resource information.
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Milwaukee’s Sojourner Family Peace Center helps thousands victims of domestic abuse every year.
The Sojourner Family Peace Center is the largest non-profit provider of domestic violence prevention and intervention services in Wisconsin.
Sojourner provides an array of support aimed at helping families affected by domestic violence to achieve safety, justice and well-being.
On its website, the Sojourner Family Peace Center says its primary goals are to ensure the safety of victims of family violence, and provide a pathway out of violence for victims and abusers through opportunities to make positive and lasting changes for themselves and their children.
CLICK HERE for a Sojourner Family Peace Center brochure
CLICK HERE to visit the Sojourner Family Peace Center’s website.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Milwaukee Women’s Center.
CLICK HERE to access coverage on Ray Rice via FOX6Now.com.