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Local Domestic Violence Expert On Rice: 'Pattern Of Behavior'

DENVER (CBS4)- In the aftermath of the Ray Rice incident there has been a lot of discussion surrounding domestic violence. The Executive Director of the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence detailed on CBS4 Morning News why some may not understand the complexity of the situation.

Amy Miller said there are many factors to take into account, especially when it comes to Ray's wife, Janay.

Baltimore Ravens v Dallas Cowboys
Ray Rice (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

"I think it's really important to understand that Janay Rice is going to say and do what she needs in order to keep herself and her family safe. Right now she may be feeling like the public attention to the issue is making herself and her child less safe," said Miller. "It's important to remember that domestic violence is a pattern of behavior. Abusive tactics used to control an intimate partner and the key word here being 'pattern.'"

MORE FROM CBS BALTIMORE: "Ray & Janay Rice Break Silence"

Two videos, one released by TMZ Sports and another shown later to The Associated Press by a law enforcement official, show Rice punching Janay Palmer — who is now his wife — at an Atlantic City casino in February. They are graphic, and show more detail than an initial video released by TMZ in July that showed him dragging her from an elevator.

Miller said there is no way to know what is happening in the couple's everyday lives.

"We are missing a lot of context around this relationship and around his behavior that might help us better understand her reaction to it. But safety is key and it's important for us to trust the victims of domestic violence, know their situation best," said Miller.

Ray Rice Press Conference
Janay Rice, the wife of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice looks on during a news conference at the Ravens training center on May 23, 2014 in Owings Mills, Md. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Miller also said it's hard to generalize since each situation is different.

"There is no profile or stereotype of a victim of domestic violence just as there is no profile of somebody who is a domestic violence offender. There are broad commonalities across behaviors but domestic violence cuts across all demographics regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, class, educational background," said Miller. "Victims are individuals. Abusers are individuals just like the rest of us."

LINK: National Domestic Violence Hotline 800.799.7233.

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