by Kathleen O’Brien/The Star-Ledger; Thursday March 12, 2009
Very little about the case of singer Rihanna — whose bruised face in an evidence photograph has become a symbol of domestic violence — surprises New Jersey’s experts in the field.
Not the brutality of the violence with which her boyfriend, singer Chris Brown, is charged.
Not the relative youth of the couple. (She’s 21, he just 19.)
Not even news the two appear to be reconciled — even as they await his April 6 arraignment.
Whether publicity about photograph, reportedly taken by investigators after the Feb. 8 assault, helps or hurts Rihanna herself remains to be seen. However, it may prove to be a powerful flashcard that provides insights to everyone else, they say.
“It’s a shock-value photo,” said Judy Postmus, director of Rutgers University’s Center on Violence Against Women and Children. “It shows this happens to everyone: rich or poor, white or black, famous or not famous.”
Those who work with battered women say they fear some women may think they have to be as badly injured as Rihanna in order to have it considered domestic violence. The singer’s battered visage may be so threatening that such women will try to distance themselves from it.
“They’ll say, ‘That happened to her, but my situation isn’t as bad. I’ve never been bitten in the ear, so I don’t have it as bad as she does,” said Anthony Winchatz, a retired Bridgewater Police Department lieutenant who now works with the Somerset County’s domestic violence agency.
“I will have people call me and say, ‘I don’t know if I’m a victim of domestic violence because I didn’t get a black eye and I didn’t go to the hospital,” said Diane Finn, coordinator of client services for the Rachel Coalition, which provides non-residential domestic violence counseling for Essex County.
“Not all violence results in a black eye or a broken arm,” Finn said. There may be incidents of pushing, choking or dragging by the hair — “but nothing you can take a picture of.”
Brown, an R&B star, is charged with two felonies for his alleged attack on girlfriend Rihanna, which included beating, biting, and choking her before trying to kick her out of his Lamborghini.
The couple has since appeared to have reconciled, with Brown apologizing and reportedly giving her a ring.
Despite the stereotype of domestic violence involving married women with children, it is just as prevalent in dating relationships. Experts say they see hints of unhealthy anger and control even in middle-school couples. In New Jersey, domestic violence offenses arising from a dating relationship accounted for 15 percent — or 10,646 — of the total for 2007.
Read the rest of this article here.
My god, where do I begin. For the past five years, I have been a horrible struggle with the state of pa for the horrible abuse that, I sustained from a PA State Trooper. My injuries were quite visiable and this trooper was never charged, nor was he disciplined or reprimanded for the abused I sustained. Then, the horrible story comes out about Rihanna and Chris Brown and now our government and news media is giving them all this attention. Many times, my faith in the legal system and in my government is decreasing more and more. I’m not 19 or 20. I was a victim of domestic violence, I am a survivor but….Still no excuse that my government continues to ignore the fact what this trooper did to me.
My god, where do I begin. For the past five years, I have been a horrible struggle with the state of pa for the horrible abuse that, I sustained from a PA State Trooper. My injuries were quite visiable and this trooper was never charged, nor was he disciplined or reprimanded for the abused I sustained. Then, the horrible story comes out about Rihanna and Chris Brown and now our government and news media is giving them all this attention. Many times, my faith in the legal system and in my government is decreasing more and more. I’m not 19 or 20. I was a victim of domestic violence, I am a survivor but….Still no excuse that my government continues to ignore the fact what this trooper did to me.
I’m very sorry to hear about this horrible tragedy that has probably had a huge negative impact on your life… Your story illustrates many things, one of which being the inane amount of attention we give to any situation when it relates to a celebrity or public figure, yet turn our backs continually on the so many others who go through the same things (or worse). Instead of using, say, Rihanna’s story to create public discussion forums helping all the people affected by domestic abuse, we only talk about Rihanna. I do hope that your voice gets heard, and that justice is met. Do keep us posted!
Dear sahar009, thank you a million times. I continue to question, the State Attorney General office. I went into hiding for so many years and now I just refuse. I will do everything in my power to make sure that some how or some way that, I will not be forgotten. Sahar009, so many like myself are afraid because, our own government continue to ignore the horrible abuse that so many men of power have caused to so many women. Again thank you and god bless.