As if a police probe of his own escape from the image of a woman beaten and shot seems Rihanna, the image is causing a debate about the impact it could have on the issue of domestic violence.
The celebrity Web site tmZ, which published the photo on Thursday night, did not explain its origin. Wrote that the site was only taken after an altercation between the platinum-selling singer and her boyfriend, fellow pop star Chris Brown.
Police Chief William Bratton acknowledged Los Angeles on Friday afternoon that the picture may be embarrassing for the woman in the photo, a view shared by some advocates of battered women. But the welts and marks on the face of the woman in the photo, some also saw a teaching moment.
"If it can happen to Rihanna, it could happen to anyone," said Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women. There are an estimated 4.8 billion attacks of domestic violence on women and other attacks on 2.9 million men each year, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
"It may be a good idea if it is, if girls do this," said Susan Murphy-Milano, author of Chicago and an advocate for battered women. He said he expects them to think, "Is the next picture will be of her in a morgue?"
Both women provided for the image that Bratton did not even go so far as to confirm it was Rihanna, could provoke a new awareness of domestic violence.
"The reality that domestic violence can happen to anyone, even someone with fame and celebrity, you should bring home the point that this is a problem throughout our society," said Gandy. "We can not avoid or ignore it."
Bratton told reporters that with the launch of an internal investigation into whether the photo is evidence of police who is also seeking ways tmZ get the picture. He said the department may pursue a criminal conspiracy case against tmZ and who could have helped get the picture.
Bratton said he suspects that someone in the department leaked the photo, but did not elaborate or go so far as to confirm that this was evidence of police records.
"Do not treat lightly," said Bratton. "It's an embarrassment to this department, in fact, if the evidence was leaked.
"It will be a very painful experience for all staff of this department, and possibly those who may have participated in a conspiracy to violate California law."
TMZ did not say how he obtained the picture and a publicist for the site did not return a phone message or e-mail seeking comment Friday.
Brown, 19, February 8 was arrested on suspicion of criminal threats, but police have not publicly identified his alleged victim. The woman was Rihanna, according to a person familiar with the situation, which was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter and requested anonymity.
A spokesman for Brown said the singer had no comment beyond a statement issued Sunday in which he said was "sorry and saddened" by the incident. His lawyer did not return calls seeking comment.
Rihanna broke her silence on Friday, his 21st birthday by releasing a statement through Rubenstein Associates.
"At the request of the authorities, Rihanna is not commenting on the incident in which Chris Brown," the statement read. "She wants to reassure her fans that she is still strong, is good, and deeply appreciates the outpouring of support he has received during this difficult time."
The singer canceled a planned birthday bash in New York and postpones concerts abroad in the days following the incident.
Prosecutors are still waiting for the police to present more evidence against Brown. Bratton said Friday that detectives are working quickly to complete the investigation and the investigations into the leak.
Both Gandy and Murphy-Milano said one reason why the picture on the news is so surprising is because domestic violence is not in the limelight except when it comes to high-profile couples.
"It may give people pause and make them think about what we are doing to women who do not have the resources to escape and take care of themselves," said Gandy. He said that the country's economic problems will lead to more cases of domestic violence suffered by the families financially.
And from a painful picture, Murphy-Milano hopes a new champion of battered women could have been made.
"I think it could be a voice and a very important tool for other people," said Rihanna. "She could turn this around," said Murphy-Milano, and tell others, "" Do not be me. "
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