Over the last few weeks, Bret Bielema's thoughtless, harmful comments regarding the violent actions of UW Badger running back Lance Smith have made it perfectly clear where his priorities lie: The head football coach certainly doesn't care about the devastation of domestic abuse when football is at stake.
According to a criminal complaint, on July 14, Smith grabbed his girlfriend by the neck and pushed her onto a mattress. He later followed her to a convenience store where he again put his hands around her throat several more times, called her derogatory slurs and pushed her to the ground. And all because she didn't give him $10. Because of his actions, the university suspended him for all five away games.
What was Bielema's response? Outrage, disgust and concern for the victim? Nope. Instead, Bielema's actions and statements have shown nothing but sympathy for Smith, the perpetrator. For instance, at a press conference in early September, Bielema said, It's an unfortunate situation for Lance."" In fact, he is even trying to get the dean of students to reduce Smith's suspension.
At a recent press conference, Bielema defended Smith: ""Lance has handled it very, very well,"" he said. ""I know that he made a mistake, and he 'fessed up to it."" Bielema seems to think that because Smith ""has handled it very, very well"" and has ""'fessed up"" to his violent crime, he should receive no punishment from the university. In other words, Bielema suggests that domestic abuse is okay, as long as you confess and act remorseful. Moreover, labeling Smith's actions as a mere ""mistake"" is not only trite, but it downplays the severity and devastation of domestic abuse.
Bielema's comments are not only misguided and insensitive, but they are incredibly harmful to the many invisible domestic abuse victims across campus. According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, a staggering 32 percent of students on college campuses are victims of domestic abuse. Such abuse has long-lasting and deeply scarring effects of a not only physical, but also mental and emotional nature. Domestic violence is anything but the trivial occurrence Bielema treats it as.
Moreover, Bielema's sympathy with the perpetrator essentially excuses the actions of not only Smith, but other abusers across campus, implying that what happens to victims is no big deal. Certainly not bad enough to be benched for five away games! This belittles and further compounds the suffering of the victims. Victims across campus of this often ignored crime do not need another voice downplaying the severity of domestic violence - according to the National Center for Victims of Crime, many people stay in abusive relationships because of minimization of the crime or lack of understanding. Instead, victims need an advocate, a role Bielema had the opportunity to take but obviously passed on in favor of sympathizing with a perpetrator.
It is a true tragedy that such a powerful, admired figure on this campus is standing up for and sympathizing with an abuser. Bielema could have used his public position to educate the campus and bring this hidden issue to the surface. If he cared more about ending domestic violence than football, he would have let Smith take his punishment as an example of the consequences of domestic abuse. But no. Football is just too important.
Anna Williams is a senior majoring in history and creative writing. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
