Rihanna....

We are beyond words.

This image, said to be that of pop idol Rihanna (Robyn Fenty), is absolutely heart wrenching. Just looking at this image sends all sorts of emotions racing through our minds. "Is this for real?" "Is that really Rihanna....?" "Did cute Chris Brown do that?" "Am I seeing things?"
Oh how we wish we were seeing things.

Domestic violence is out of control! Now that domestic violence has a face that most Americans recognize and love, it seems to mean so much more. While we are not down playing the countless faces that have been affected by domestic violence, it just seems that now, since this has allegedly happened to Rihanna, it seems just that much more real in so many eyes in America. Eyes of those both young and old. This alleged incident has touched and affected so many people and has bought attention to the ugly, ugly side of domestic violence that otherwise may not have been revealed. The fact that now "young Hollywood" is at the center of something that has always seemed so taboo and reserved for a certain "type" of person, it takes on a whole new meaning.

After a little research, the statistic are jaw dropping.


~ 85-95% of all domestic violence victims are female

~ 5.3 million women are abused each year

~1,232 women are killed each year by an intimate partner

~ Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women

(http://www.aidv-usa.com/Statistics.htm)

So what now? Do we just move on from this topic like so many other topics that make front page? Do we just dismiss this like we do all the other stories from the most popular gossip sites? Well we certainly hope not. While we are all concerned for the parties involved, now is not the time to just drop it and move on to the next "juicy gossip". It is time that we all, men and women alike, take a stand against domestic violence. There are so many agencies that offer help to individuals that are in potentially dangerous situations. These agencies can also offer help and insight to those whose loved ones and friends may be in domestic situations but refuse to get out...or don't know how to get out. It is crucial that we do not ignore signs and bruises or give up on our family and friends who could one day add to these unbelievable statistics. We know that sometimes you just don't know what to do, where to turn or who to talk to regardless if you are on the inside or the outside of the situation. Well here are some agencies that would be more than happy to help:

www.safe4all.org
www.NYAWC.org
www.ndvh.org
www.EndDomesticAbuse.org
www.helpfordomesticviolence.com

Yes, sure, everyone is talking about, "but their careers"....while this alleged incident between Rihanna and Chris Brown may or may not have colossal affects on their careers, that does not negate the fact that they are regular people who allegedly may be caught up in a domestic violence case. A case that, like any other, is due its day in court. We have to honor that and not prosecute nor persecute either of them publicly. Let us all focus on how we can do our part to make a difference in the lives of others who may be affected by this or may be dealing with domestic violence right now! That is the lesson in all of this...what can we do to see the statistics scale dip in the other direction?

Please, everyone, love yourself enough to know that someones "loving you" is not going to leave cuts and bruises all over your body. There is help...please don't be afraid to ask for it.