TSN's Dave Naylor applauds CFL's domestic violence policy

A leading football broadcasteris applauding the CFL's new domestic violence policy because it's taking a proactive stand and focuses on the victim.

Dave Naylor, TSN Football Insider and host of TSN Drive, said the CFL has watched the NFL deal with players involved in high-profile domestic abuse cases over the past year and the Canadian league wanted to take a stand on theissue.

"I think sports leagues traditionallyand I think the National Football League is a great example have been very reactive to this type of issue," he told Saskatoon Morning host Leisha Grebinski.

Takingfocus offplayer

Under the CFL's new policy, players and employees will takemandatory, annualtraining sessions that focus on stoppingviolence against women and the league has the authority to impose sanctions on those who violate the policy.

However, there's one featurethat stands out for Naylor. It's the focus on the victim of domestic violence.

"So often, when an athlete is involved in a situation like this, the focus immediately becomes on him because we know who he is and there's a context to him and there becomes unfortunately a conversation about, 'Is he going to miss games?Is he going to be suspended?How is this going to impact the team?'and left out of all of that is the victim," he said. "And I think if you look at the CFL's policy and it talks about making sure there is support for the victim. Making sure that the victim is in a safe situation."

Naylorsaid the policy stops short when it comes to players who have ashistory of domestic abuse. He said the policy doesn't say that you can't bring in a player who is charged or convicted of domestic abuse.

"That's the way society works, you commit a crime, you pay your price for that crime and you move on with your life."

Leading the way

Naylor said there several reasons why the CFL is taking a proactive approach and one of them isimage.

"There's no question there's a public relations gain for the Canadian Football League to say, 'Hey, you've seen how these other leagues have messed up this issue and how they haven't got it right. Well, we're going to get it right.' And they hope that that helps people feel good about the league and the teams that they support."

As part of the policy, the leaguewill also endorse and participate in efforts to increase awareness of violence against women in the community.