Statement by Toni K. Troop, Director of Development & Public Relations, Jane Doe Inc.
Regarding Patriots Player Randy Moss
A Florida woman has charged Patriots player Randy Moss with battery, alleging that he physically harmed her when the two spent time together and that he refused to allow her to seek medical treatment.
Lawyers for Mr. Moss have – predictably – claimed that the woman making the accusations is out for money and that, whatever happened that night, it was consensual “horseplay.”
We have seen this movie before – and, in the past at least, the ending has been very disturbing.
It is crucial to all women’s safety to take allegations of domestic violence seriously. Of course, allegations are just that and the judicial system must be allowed to take its course before we either exonerate or condemn anyone accused of domestic violence.
At this juncture, we ask the community of Patriots fans (of which many of us are a part) to hold their fire: Let’s not vilify the woman who came forward nor assume that Randy Moss is guilty. But let’s do one thing that is good for the game and good for all the men and women who watch it: Let’s be clear that we will not excuse proven incidents of domestic violence simply because someone does a terrific job on the field or because he may be considered indispensable to a likely perfect season. We must be able, as human beings, sports fans and domestic violence advocates, to hold the complexity of this and struggle with it.
We have worked with the Krafts over the years and know their real commitment to issues of safety and to the prevention of violence. Theirs has been a model of corporate responsibility in addressing domestic violence within the workplace and in society. These events present us all with not just a challenge but an opportunity. It is in times when so much is at stake that we are really tested.
While national model guidelines for workplace policies regarding domestic violence say that disciplinary actions may include suspension of duties (with or without pay) or dismissal if there is a judicial determination of probable cause, Jane Doe Inc. did not and is not calling for Randy Moss to be benched prior to the January 28th hearing. We are simply asking that these allegations be taken seriously and that all parties be respected.
In this time of heightened attention, we ask that the Patriots management remind the public what those of us in the domestic violence community know about them: That they take all allegations of domestic violence seriously and will take appropriate action if evidence shows that domestic violence was perpetrated by any of their players.
