Jillian Loyden

Every nine seconds, a woman suffers from domestic violence in the United States. One in four women will be attacked during her lifetime. Millions of children witness domestic violence in their homes each year. These are our sisters and brothers, our neighbors, and our co-workers. For athletes, they are also our fans.

Until recently, professional sports leagues have largelyturned a blind eye towards domestic abuse. Athletic ability has been prioritized over safety. In the past several months, the issue of domestic violence has been brought front and center in the sports community, most noticeably in the National Football League. In response, some leagues have recognized that they need to change their outdated and ineffective disciplinary policies. The landscape of professional athletics is changing.

The athletes and leaders of all sports need to recognize this fact.

For too long, domestic violence has hidden in the shadows, too difficult for many to talk about, and easy for some to avoid. Abusers thrive on that silence. It is our duty to shed light on the darkness, to give victims a voice.

I know it is for me. In 2012, my sister Britton was murdered, my nephew lost his mother and the world lost an amazing woman when she was killed, allegedly at the hands of her former fiancé, who is awaiting trial.

Since then, I have made it a priority to use my voice to speak up for domestic violence survivors, victims and their children.

As professional athletes, we have leverage and influence in people's lives. People listen to us, and fans look up to us. We are role models and should strive to be champions both on and off the field. We have a responsibility to make our voices heard and make them count.

When fans think of the U.S. Women's National Team, they think about gold medals, winning and success. They think of the most successful team in women's sports. They think of the gold standard. More than anyone else, when people think about women's soccer, they think of Hope Solo, the team's star goalkeeper.

But U.S. Soccer must be the gold standard beyond the field as well. I believe that individuals are innocent until proven guilty, but in failing to take action against players' behavior off the field, the league is not living up to its responsibilities.

U.S. Soccer needs to send the right message. They need to communicate that domestic violence is never OK and that it will not be tolerated.

Speaking out on these issues is not always easy. Solo is my teammate and a personal mentor. But I cannot stand by as young fans receive the message that this behavior — even if the allegations proved to be inaccurate — can go unnoticed.

A couple weeks ago, Hope broke an international record with an incredible 73 shutouts. But instead of celebrating the new record, the league should endeavor to post a shutout on domestic violence. Our league can no longer turn a blind eye to the allegations that Solo assaulted two family members.

It took my sister's death for me to stand up and speak out. When I looked into my nephew's eyes, I swore that I would not stay quiet anymore. And I will not stay quiet. Because every voice counts. Domestic violence can be stopped. It is preventable. We must end the cycle.

Jillian Loyden, founder of the Jillian Loyden Foundation, plays for Sky Blue FC in the National Women's Soccer League and is a member of the United States women's soccer team.

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