Major League Baseball just adopted a new policy on domestic violence

Rob Manfred
(Image credit: Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players' Association announced Friday a joint policy on domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, BuzzFeed News reports.

When an incident arises, a three-member panel will advise the player of a treatment plan, which could include counseling or limited interactions with his partner. Commissioner Rob Manfred can hand down sanctions at his discretion, regardless of whether a player has been convicted of a crime.

In a key difference from current NFL policy, a player who appeals the sanctions will have his case sent to a three-person arbitration panel including a union representative.

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The policy will also apply to minor leaguers and staff.

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Julie Kliegman

Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.