Ohio State Domestic Violence Scandal Tells the Same Old Story With New Characters

 Posted on August 17,2018 in Domestic Abuse

One of the most recognizable names in college athletics is currently on administrative leave as the university for which he works conducts a full investigation into allegations that he covered up known instances of domestic violence perpetrated by a member of his staff. To be clear, Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer has not been charged with any crimes, but he has come under fire for his handling of the alleged behavior of one his long-time assistant coaches.

A Quick and Dirty Background

In 2009, Meyer was coaching at the University of Florida when one of his graduate assistants was arrested for domestic violence. The assistant allegedly shoved his pregnant wife against a wall. According to Meyer, his own wife got involved to help the young couple through counseling. In 2012, Meyer was hired by Ohio State University, and he brought the younger assistant with him despite knowing about the domestic violence concerns.

Two years a later, a high-profile domestic violence incident involving an NFL player brought national attention to the issue—especially when it involved athletes. In 2015, the same assistant coach, however, was investigated by police on two separate occasions based on reports of domestic abuse, but he remained on the Ohio State staff. The victim claims that Meyer knew about 2015 allegations but did nothing to address them.

This summer, the assistant was fired—nine years after the first incident. The firing came just three days after his wife obtained an order of protection against him and less than a week after the man was charged with criminal trespassing.

A Moral Dilemma

The story at Ohio State is hardly a new one—albeit with the added twist of a powerful, nationally-known personality. It can be difficult to know what to do when someone you know and care about is accused of domestic violence. Things become even more complex when the accused is someone who works for you. It is understandable for outsiders to balance the idea of “innocent until proven guilty” with assisting abused victims and protecting them from future harm.

While part of this story is certainly about the standards to which society holds its public figures, it also poses the question of what the average person should do when they know that someone they care might be guilty of abuse. At the very least, a person should not be telling lies or trying to cover up such behavior. Instead, the person should try to encourage the alleged abuser to seek help if necessary. If confronting the abuser is not possible, the a person should most certainly help the victim find safety.

Call Us for Help

If you find yourself in a situation such as this, an experienced Rolling Meadows domestic violence lawyer can help you figure out what to do. Call 847-253-3100 for a free consultation at Cosley Law Office today.

Sources:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/brennan/2018/08/15/urban-meyer-d-j-durkin-have-failed-football-coaches-and-human-beings/1001387002/

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-op-0817-ipv-awareness-20180816-story.html#