WNBA -- 2023 Season

[Blue Huskie]

Aces' Riquna Williams arrested, facing 9 domestic battery charges

Aces guard Riquna Williams is facing nine domestic battery charges after her arrest Tuesday in Las Vegas, according to court records.

www.espn.com

I thought they shouldn't have signed her last year. Given the increased emphasis all major sports are giving to domestic violence, Williams should be banned from the WNBA.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

I thought they shouldn't have signed her last year. Given the increased emphasis all major sports are giving to domestic violence, Williams should be banned from the WNBA.

I do think in general there's some level of grace given to people for a second chance in the belief they have gotten the proper help and has grown as people. Even the Sparks re-signed her in the immediate aftermath of the first altercation. So given that she was pretty problem free (of my knowledge) in the two years following, I could see why any team would pick her up, believing that was a one time incident and she's a new person.

As we know, there's multiple players in the league right now that have been accused of similar acts as well and are still playing. I'm not so sure all those accused of these incidents whether its domestic violence or DUI or other horrible acts should be immediately banned after one incident. But I do believe repeat offenders should definitely be banned for sure and has no place in the league.

I really hope the next CBA takes a more definitive approach as it relates to penalties and banishment on these acts. I also hope the league steps in sooner rather than later on this situation. Right now the Aces organization can only suspend (not cut) her with full pay under it's current rules and it doesn't seem right given what's occurred.

 

[JellyBean]

I thought they shouldn't have signed her last year. Given the increased emphasis all major sports are giving to domestic violence, Williams should be banned from the WNBA.

Great point but I am of the mindset of, giving the person another chance with the understanding of, "this can not happen again". We don't know where that person's mindset was the first time and what transpired in that situation. I am pretty sure, I hope, that the Aces had a meeting with Willams and had the conversation and was thinking along the lines like many of us, "This is your 2nd chance. You can't do this again. If it happens again, you will be suspended or worse." Sadly, the domestic situation happened again, and the Aces front office will handle it how they see fit. The League did their part. Hopefully Williams gets the help that she needs and that her wife gets the help and support she needs. As for other sports, it depends on the level of the player. Some players get banned from the league and some players get a slap on the wrist. The NFL is a great example. Awhile back there was a video of a Jets running back abusing his wife/girlfriend. That was scary and I believe the running back is in jail for his actions, he should be.

 

[azfan]

Riquna Williams should immediately be banned for life.

Williams' case is severe although I'm not sure about the morality of giving gradations to violence particularly those involving a firearm. In my view the league should ban Williams for life. While she's at this stage marginal player the message sent is one that is incumbent to communicate: both condemnation of this action and a recognition of the extent of the problem and a consequence!!!

The Truth About Abusers, Abuse, and What to Do

Abusers seek control because they're insecure, despite any outer success. Learn to spot them and what to do.

www.psychologytoday.com

Society in general has made inadequate and counterproductive responses to this issue of domestic violence. Professional sports is an egregious example of tolerating and minimizing DV by members of this industry. We could easily list 50 examples across professional sports although the Williams example one of the worst close to that at the Ray Rice elevator beating

The W clearly made a mistake in 2019 in this case and should immediately recognize that error.

"More than 3 million incidents of domestic violence are reported each year, including both men and women. Nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million people. One-third of women and one-fourth of men will have experienced some sort of interpersonal violence, and for one-fourth of women and one-seventh of men, it's severe."

Severe....... Absolutely and it was clear in 2019 and it's cleared today that Williams would be classified as a severe abuser.

"The most serious abusers don't come forward, don't talk about their violence, don't seek help."

And the research is clear they do not change.

Can domestic abusers be rehabilitated?

Even domestic abusers who go to jail eventually get out. Most often, they go on to abuse again. Punishment is necessary, but it’s also only a start

www.theglobeandmail.com

This story will follow predictable and very disappointing steps

The violent felony abuser will make a statement of remorse

The criminal justice system and the WNBA will dither around

A token punishment completely inadequate to respond to the crime will be applied

Williams will not go to jail

Williams will abuse again

 

[cancontent]

Great point but I am of the mindset of, giving the person another chance with the understanding of, "this can not happen again". We don't know where that person's mindset was the first time and what transpired in that situation. I am pretty sure, I hope, that the Aces had a meeting with Willams and had the conversation and was thinking along the lines like many of us, "This is your 2nd chance. You can't do this again. If it happens again, you will be suspended or worse." Sadly, the domestic situation happened again, and the Aces front office will handle it how they see fit. The League did their part. Hopefully Williams gets the help that she needs and that her wife gets the help and support she needs. As for other sports, it depends on the level of the player. Some players get banned from the league and some players get a slap on the wrist. The NFL is a great example. Awhile back there was a video of a Jets running back abusing his wife/girlfriend. That was scary and I believe the running back is in jail for his actions, he should be.

Are you saying second chance with the Aces or in general? If in general, wouldn't that be giving Williams a third chance? Considering she was charged and suspended in 2019, she's gotten a second chance already by my count.