This report in Roll Call says that a group of 16 female U.S. senators have written “a scathing letter” to Roger Goodell about the National Football League’s handling of violence against women.

The senators include Mazie Hirono of Hawaii.

“It is long past time for the NFL to institute a real zero-tolerance policy and send a strong message that the league will not tolerate violence against women by its players, who are role models for children across America,” the 16 senators wrote.

Ray Rice, formerly of the NFL, at training camp in 2009.

Flickr: Keith Allison

They added, ““We hope the NFL will seize this opportunity to lead by example and demonstrate its commitment to the safety of women and families.”

The senators say they were “shocked and disgusted” by the elevator video of now-former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice knocking out his then-fiancée Janay Rice.

“Tragically, this is not the only case of an NFL player allegedly assaulting a woman even within the last year,” they wrote to Goodell.

The letter comes as the nation marks the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act.

In related news, according to The Hill, “Leaders of the House Oversight Committee are discussing whether they should hold a hearing to examine the National Football League’s handling” of the Rice assault case.