CLEVELAND — Donisha Greene, community engagement director of at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, took a stance against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension announced Monday.

What You Need To Know

  • Deshaun Watson is a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns

  • He was suspended six games without pay for violating the National Football League's personal conduct policy 

  • The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center said they are disappointed with the punishment

“Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is disappointed,” Greene said. “We’re absolutely disappointed.”

She said she believes the news of the suspension mirrors flaws of the criminal justice system.

Watson had 24 civil suits against him, many of which he settled, after a Texas grand jury elected to not press criminal charges against him. His six-game suspension stems from retired Judge Sue L. Robinson ruling Watson violated the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy amid sexual misconduct allegations.

“Far too often, those who are in a position of power, in celebrity and who commit violence against others are not held accountable for their actions,” Greene said.

As Watson sits out the first six games of the NFL season, Greene said her heart will continue to go out to victims of sexual violence.

“To all the survivors of rape, of sexual [sic], and sexual assault, we say, ‘We see you. We believe you. Your story matters. You matter, and we are here to listen,’” Greene said.

Greene said Watson’s case may trigger sexual assault survivors.

“Especially to those who, who have experienced sexual violence, that it normalizes sexual violence against women. And in our society, in that there are patterns in which the shift of the blame goes from perpetrators to victims,” Greene said. “And that’s not okay.”

Greene gave advice to those who may be interested in learning how they can help protect their community from sexual violence.

“Well, I think that for folks who are, are looking for ways to get involved, there are many ways that they can join the movement to end sexual violence, and several ways are to participate in some of our ambassador trainings to gain skills in preventing sexual violence and allying with survivors,” Greene said.

Greene said the center is also willing to go to schools, work offices and places of worship to educate the community about the harm of this type of violence.