I have had the opportunity to see many things in my life from a professional perspective that were unpleasant to look at. That is simply the nature of the aftermath of crime. It can often be very interesting but it is seldom pretty. I was reminded of just how ugly crime can be and how indiscriminate it is about where it may show up. The internet postings were quick to publish the hospital photos of the popular entertainer Rihanna for all to see. I cannot say that I am a huge fan of her work, but I have seen publicity shots of her and she is absolutely stunning. What a difference a few hours and an act of domestic violence can do to remind us all that anyone is vulnerable. The hospital photographs depicted someone who looked nothing like a star, a diva, or anything else that is synonymous with glamour or a celebrity lifestyle.<br />
<br />
The photograph was of a scared young girl, bruised and battered, looking into the camera with obvious sadness and disbelief. This was a far cry from the red carpet runways that she was so accustomed to. I am sure that she was being asked many questions that had nothing to do with who her stylist or dress designer was. She was being forced to talk about things that she would have preferred to remain private. These intimate details would soon be the lead story of one newspaper after another. While her case is and will continue to be sensational based on her celebrity status, she has found herself in the same position that many women find themselves in everyday. Take away the star power and she is nothing more than a statistic to be added to the list of battered women. This is a list that grows every day.<br />
<br />
And, as unfortunate as it is that it has happened to Rihanna, or that is happens to anyone, this is a golden opportunity to bring this problem to the forefront. Letâ
