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Ray Rice’s wife speaks out: West Michigan domestic violence resources

Posted at 9:32 PM, Sep 09, 2014
and last updated 2014-09-09 22:38:35-04

WEST MICHIGAN – The video of NFL Baltimore Raven’s Running Back Ray Rice punching and knocking out his fiancé-now-wife has sparked nation-wide discussion about domestic violence.

Since the NFL indefinitely suspended Rice, his wife and victim of Rice’s abuse, Janay Rice, released a statement in her husband’s defense.

Tuesday, Janay Rice posted a statement to Instagram stating the following:

“I woke up this morning feeling like I had a horrible nightmare, feeling like I’m mourning the death of my closest friend… But to have to accept the fact that it’s reality is a nightmare in itself.

“No one knows the pain that the media and unwanted [actions] from the public has caused my family. To make us relive a moment in our lives that we regret every day is a horrible thing.

“To take something away from the man I love that he has worked… for all his life just to gain ratings is horrific.

“THIS IS OUR LIFE! What don’t you all get. If your intentions were to hurt us, embarrass us, make us feel alone, take all happiness away, you’ve succeeded on so many levels.

“Just know we will continue to grow and show the world what real love is! Ravesnation we love you!”

Again, the video shows the couple in a casino elevator in Atlantic City, when Ray Rice punches Janay—his fiancé at the time—so hard she falls to the floor. Then Ray drags Janay out of the elevator like a rag doll and drops her.

Now the NFL and its Commissioner Roger Goodell are under heavy criticism. Following Rice`s indefinite suspension from football, some are calling it a cover-up, suggesting the NFL knew of the video before it became public on Monday.

In West Michigan there are several local services for victims of domestic violence:

Center for Women in Transition: (800) 848-5991

YWCA West Central Michigan: (616) 451-2744

Safe Haven Ministries: (616) 452-6664