Goodell Outlines New Policies To Combat Domestic Violence

The NFL is taking new steps to help combat domestic violence and sexual assault.

In his first public comments since early last week, commissioner Roger Goodell outlined today the league's updated policies that will require all NFL team personnel and staff to undergo prevention training starting within 30 days. Goodell issued a memo to team owners on Thursday explaining that the initial sessions will begin to provide the men and women of the NFL with information and the tools to recognize domestic violence and sexual assault.

The league is also entering into partnerships with the National Domestic Violence Hotline and National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Goodell says the NFL will work with the Players' Association to develop and implement training in the most effective way.

The NFL and Goodell have come under heavy criticism from fans, sponsors and politicians in recent weeks over the handling of the Ray Rice domestic violence case. Rice was initially suspended just two games until video leaked showing him knock out his now-wife with a punch to the face in an Atlantic City casino elevator in February. The Baltimore Ravens then cut the running back and Goodell made Rice's suspension indefinite.

There have been other alleged domestic incidents involving Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald and Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer. Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is also embroiled in a child abuse case over the disciplining of his young son with a tree branch. (Metro Networks Inc.)