CINCINNATI (AP) – An advocacy group is urging the Cincinnati Bengals to speak out against domestic violence after the team drafted a player who punched a woman in the face.
Women Helping Women called on the team to take a public stand against domestic violence and sexual assault. The Bengals chose Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday even though he was suspended for one year in college for punching a woman.
Women Helping Women is a regional agency that serves approximately 7,000 survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault each year. Representatives of the group and the Bengals met on Monday.
“We expect businesses in our great city, and this includes sports teams, to place a high value on speaking out against both domestic violence and sexual assault,” said Kristin Smith-Shrimplin, president and CEO of Women Helping Women.
The agency issued a statement saying the Bengals should send a message to its fans.