Abuse in sports

Going off an article posted on Twitter http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/page/lapchick-111130/the-public-underwhelming-reaction-athletes-assault-women, there is an overwhelming repsonse to abuse in sports....sometimes. Recently, we were shocked by the disgusting acts of Sandusky and his abuse of young children. In the past, we've seen athletes like Michael Vick's abuse of animals, the OJ Simpson's murder trial, or the Kobe Bryant rape allegations. And while all get major media attention, and a public outburst and demand for justice, it is either short-lived or garnering attention for the wrong reasons. Many cases of domestic abuse against women go almost unrecognized year after year. Time after time charged get dropped or lessened because a high-profile male athlete is involved. Bryant's rape victim chose to drop charges as she faced relentless media attention and death threats. Tony Woods, a center on Wake Forest's basketball team, was charged with assualting his girlfriend in 2010, allegedly fracturing her spine; he received a 60-day prison sentence. Eric Devendorf, a guard for Syracuse hit a female student and was initially suspened for the rest of the year....before that punishment was reduced to 40 hours of community service, allowing him to play the rest of the season. There are countless examples to give, and even disregarding the male athlete's guilt or innocence, it is easier to see that few cases are taken with the severity of others (child abuse with Sandusky, or animal abuse with Vick), or followed through with the quest for justice. Why are people not as outraged, or quick to act in situations like this? Women are human beings too, and they get abused too. We can speak up for children and seek justice for them, and we can do the same for women. The question is why, as a society, are we not? Why do we seek to defend the athlete, even though we know they are morally wrong? Why must we shame all alleged victims in to hiding and silence? Athletes are not above the law, and must be held acountable if we expect to live in a society where sports don't rule all. Sports cannot control our moral compass, and determine who gets away with abusing another human being.

Danae Delfin
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