What is violence?

Ray Rice, football player for the Baltimore Ravens, abused his fiancee in a casino elevator. This event took place back in February, but did not leak until months later. In the article "Ravens knew almost immediately details in Ray Rice case, ESPN reports", it is stated that the Ravens focused on making sure that the video did not go public. Ray Rice was only suspended from two games in the beginning, but then lost endorsement deals plus a great amount of cash. Janay Rice not only stood by her husband's side and defended him through out the allegations, but also took responsibility for the incident as if it were her fault. She did not pose as the victim, but regardless his contract with the Ravens terminated and he lost about ten million dollars.
Is money the real reason why Janay Rice posed as a victim? Janay Rice is depriving herself of the opportunity for other women to look up to her. It is unfair for her to be doing things for the wrong reasons because not only is she misrepresenting herself, but she is inadequately representing women.
Different interpretations can be understood from the situation that I read into. Some can view it as a misrepresentation of abuse in regards to gender. With this in mind, one should not be treated less because of their gender such as women, if they want to be treated equally then a punch should not be an "excuse". Others can view it as women being defenseless and one should not get abused when they can not stand up for themselves. Some can interpret this as love and others can interpret this as loyalty, but what is it really? Fear could have also been a factor to why she claimed that she was not a victim. Domestic abuse happens much more often than we think about it and that excludes the ones that people do not speak up about, but once again- Janay Rice went about this all wrong. This should not have been about money and it can be understandable that they have a child together so this commotion could become a bigger impact than it was supposed to, but she should know right from wrong because that comes from our instincts. There is help out there for all those who suffer from domestic violence and Janay Rice, being a celebrity, should know that she is putting a message out there for all women and is misrepresenting them.