NFL Recruits 4 Women to Advise on Domestic Violence and Sex Assault Policy

In an effort to show the NFL’s commitment to making domestic violence and sexual assault a priority, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced four women who will help shape NFL’s policies and programs relating to domestic violence and sexual assault.

In a letter to NFL staff, Goodell announced that Anna Isaacson, who is currently the NFL’s vice president of community affairs and philanthropy, will undertake a greater role as vice president of social responsibility.

Additionally, three experts in domestic violence will serve as senior advisors on domestic violence and sexual assault: Lisa Friel, the head of the Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit in the New York County District Attorney’s Office, will focus on the evaluation process of alleged violence and assault incidences and will advise Goodell and the NFL staff on law violations. Jane Randel, the co-founder of NO MORE (a national initiative to raise the profile of violence and assault and Rita Smith), and Rita Smith, the former executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, will work on several related initiatives, including: workplace policy, training curricula, education programs, Employee Assistance Programs and distributing information about resources outside of the NFL as related to these issues.

The announcement comes after the NFL and Goodell received significant public backlash over the handling of Ray Rice, who punched his wife in the face, knocking her unconscious. You can read Goodell’s full letter here.