NFL Changes Punishment for Domestic Violence/Personal Conduct Policy Violations

This summer, much criticism, including our own, was hurled at the NFL for its lack of punishment for Ray Rice, who had criminal charges brought against him due to an act of domestic violence.  
On August 28, 2014, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell  sent a letter to all NFL owners stating what they have been doing to rectify the vast differences in punishment for infractions of their policies, particularly their personal conduct policies vs. their drug policies.  I am very thankful that they have listened to the outcry and are trying to make their organization a safer, more respectful place, but there are still many questions to answer.  At the link above, one of the commentators asks if the new punishment would be applied to players who have been charged, but the charges are later dropped.  We know that many domestic violence charges get dropped for a variety of reasons, so this is a very valid question.

I also have concerns about the following phrase:
"Effective immediately, violations of the Personal Conduct Policy regarding assault, battery, domestic violence or sexual assault that involve physical force will be subject to a suspension without pay of six games for a first offense, with consideration given to mitigating factors, as well as a longer suspension when circumstances warrant."

1. that involve physical force

Oh boy.  Physical force.  Here we go again.  How is physical force being defined?  Why does physical force need to be involved in a sexual assault in order for a player to be punished?  What about someone who does not give consent?  

2.  mitigating factors

Does this include how believable the complaining witness is?  What her/his reputation is?  This is quite the grey area, although the letter implies mitigating factors that make the crime (and the punishment) worse.  

I am thankful that the NFL has changed its policy, but until we see how it is used, I don't know that it's the panacea to the outrage that the NFL is hoping it will be.

If you want to learn more about the NFL's past record of suspensions/punishments of players and in what instances they get punished, I encourage you to read this article.