Report: Domestic violence calls spike in wake of Ray Rice video
There has been an 84 percent increase in calls to the National Domestic Violence Hotline since the release of the video of Ray Rice striking his then-fiancée and now-wife Janay Palmer, according to a report from The Huffington Post.
The Baltimore Ravens terminated Rice's contract after the video was released early Monday morning. In addition, the NFL suspended him indefinitely.
The report quotes hotline CEO Katie Ray-Jones, who said that the video had inspired a number of victims to reach out:
"We had an outpouring of women saying, 'Oh my god, I didn't realize this happened to other people.' They thought they were living a life that was very unique to them," Ray-Jones told The Huffington Post. "One woman called in who is married to a [mixed martial arts] fighter. She said, 'I just saw that video, and I know my husband could do worse, and I need help."
Complete Ray Rice Coverage
ABC reported Monday that Rutgers, Rice's alma mater, will no longer include him in promotional materials.
The altercation occurred inside an elevator at the Revel Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City on Feb. 15. Rice pleaded not guilty to an aggravated assault charge and avoided trial.
He was recently approved to enter a pre-trial intervention program.
- Chris Johnson
