This past Thursday, the NFL enacted a new domestic violence policy that will include punishments for players involved in domestic violence or sexual assault. ESPN reports that players will undergo a six-game suspension for a first-time offense and a lifetime ban from the league for a second offense. The suspension is to be without pay, and the policy will be applied to all NFL personnel.

There has been a history of domestic violence and sexual assault within the NFL; according to ThinkProgress, an investigation found that 21 of the league's 32 teams had at least one player accused of or arrested on charges of sexual assault. The measures are also attributed to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's handling of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, who received a two-month suspension after assaulting his ex-fiancée this past February. Many criticized the suspension as being too soft, and ridiculed Goodell for not taking sexual assault and domestic violence seriously as a crime.

Besides harsher discipline standards, the policy plans to expand the education of players and personnel on violence against women and provide more assistance and support to spouses and significant others of NFL players.

The implementation of the policy is soon to be tested, as San Francisco 49ers Ray McDonald was arrested this past Sunday on charges of domestic violence. McDonald is set to appear in court on September 15. Trent Baalke, general manager of the 49ers, stated, "The 49ers organization is aware of the recent reports regarding Ray McDonald and we take such matters seriously... as we continue to gather the facts, we will reserve further comment," asserting that McDonald's crime will not be easily looked over.

According to the NFL website, McDonald's arrest occurred two days after he reportedly restructured his contract with the 49ers. Now, all that remains to be seen is whether or not the league will enact the discipline it promised.