Rihanna Says Chris Brown Beat Her Repeatedly, Brown Evades Responsiblity (Video)

On the night of February 8, pop superstar couple Chris Brown and Rihanna left a pre-Grammy party in Brown's car and then shortly after began arguing (allegedly about Brown's unfaithfulness). Brown pulled over to the side of the road and then proceeded to beat Rihanna severely, punching her in the face and neck repeatedly and even biting her. Those facts are not in dispute. Chris Brown has plead guilty to these charges in court. But the aftermath of the assault has set off a maelstrom of controversy and discussion, turning the already famous Chris Brown and Rihanna into stars stalked by the paparazzi on a level even Britney Spears would find alarming.

While Chris Brown has largely so far refused to take direct public responsibility for his actions, Rihanna appears determined to turn the assault into an educational opportunity about the dangers and realities of domestic violence. Rihanna appeared this morning on 20/20 for the first of a two part interview with Diane Sawyer in which she talks about the assault and its aftermath. Most importantly, Rihanna says that that night was not an isolated incident and that Chris Brown beat her repeatedly. She now feels that it's her duty to help other women in similarly abusive situations protect themselves.

“When I realized that my selfish decision for love could result into some young girl getting killed, I could not be easy with that part,” she said. “I couldn’t be held responsible for telling them, ‘Go back.’ Even if Chris never hit me again, who’s to say that their boyfriend won’t? Who’s to say they won’t kill these girls?”



For his part Chris Brown hasn't followed Rihanna's example (most likely on the advice of his legal counsel). Although he has admitted publicly that he regrets the incident, he has largely evaded taking direct responsibility for his actions, saying for example that he "didn't remember" beating Rihanna that night during an extensive interview with Larry King. Brown has also recently filmed an interview with MTV about the assault that will air this Friday. In that interview he says, "My thoughts [when I look back on it now] is like, 'Why did it happen?' " Chris Brown said. "Like, 'What was I thinking? What is wrong with you?' That's what I'm thinking with myself. That's what my thoughts are, basically, now."



Frustratingly, the assault has spawned a Rihanna backlash, with a legion of fans and supporters ready to label anyone criticizing Brown as a "hater." So let me make one thing clear. This isn't about some juvenile concept of "hating," this is bigger than that. It is never acceptable to beat a woman, under any circumstances, no matter how famous or talented you may be. And, whether they like it or not, Rihanna and Chris Brown's fame means that they're setting an example for everyone who can now find the strength to either leave an abusive situation, or seek help to stop their own abusive behavior, a responsibility that Rihanna is ready to accept but Chris Brown has so far continued to avoid.

That doesn't mean that Chris Brown cannot or should not be forgiven, but it does mean that as a man and a public figure he should face his actions head-on. So what do I want to hear from Brown during tomorrow night's MTV interview? What do I wish he would say?

"I beat Rihanna that night. I knew what I was doing, and I accept full responsibility for my actions. No one else made me do it, and she certainly didn't deserve it. It was the most shameful night of my life, and a night I'm working hard to make sure never happens again. If any good can come out of this, I hope it's that women out there understand that abuse can and does happen to anyone, and that if they're in an abusive relationship they should seek help. I also want to say to all the men out there that it is never, never, acceptable to hit a woman, and if my words stop even one guy from striking his wife or girlfriend, than at least something positive will have arisen from my mistake."

Is that too much to ask? Yes, it frankly probably is. But that won't stop me from hoping Brown says it anyway. It's about time.