Battered Rihanna Photo Leaked From LAPD Headquarters Courtesy Of TMZ
20 February 2009, 9:45 AM. By Alex Alvarez
The LAPD is currently concerned over a leaked photo of a battered Rihanna, post-attack, that has appeared on TMZ. They have released a statement asking for help in determining the source of the leak.
We’ve placed the full photo after the jump. Warning: Some may find it disturbing.
The statement reads:
Los Angeles: The unauthorized release of a domestic violence photograph immediately generated an internal investigation.
At about 7 p.m. on February 19, 2009, the Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations Section began receiving numerous inquiries about the release of a photograph associated with a domestic violence incident that occurred on February 8, 2009, involving entertainer Chris Brown. The photograph appeared on an entertainment website. The photograph has the appearance of one taken during an official Domestic Violence investigation.The Los Angeles Police Department takes seriously its duty to maintain the confidentiality of victims of domestic violence.
The Department launched an immediate internal investigation and subsequently filed a personnel complaint.
A violation of this type is considered serious misconduct, with penalties up to and including termination.
Anyone with information concerning the unauthorized release of the photograph is asked to call, during regular business hours, (213) 485-4152. After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to our 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text “CRIMES” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web Tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.” Tipsters may remain anonymous.
At any rate, we hope that if anything positive comes out of this photo’s leak, it’s that people realize domestic abuse: 1) Can happen to anyone, in any relationship and that 2) it’s not a matter to be taken lightly - it causes real damage. Oh, and. 3) If you’re ever a victim of a crime and happen to be famous, keep a close eye on the LAPD.
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The photo being leaked was inevitable. My feelings are really mixed over it - on one hand I hope Rhianna isn’t ashamed of the photo leak because she has nothing to be ashamed of. On the other hand I’m glad it came out because I don’t think the seriousness of the crime has sunk in for some people. You can’t dismiss this.
This happens everday to someone and maybe a shock like this will make a difference.
I’m sorry — that is the some of the most disingenuous reflection I’ve ever read. Why not just say, “We hope that if anything positive comes from this photo’s leak, it’s that we get more page views.”
If a victim of a violent crime chooses to share photos like this, it’s up to her, and more power to her. Here is a woman who was brutally battered by someone she trusted. The authorities who had the responsibility to protect Rihanna further violated her by leaking these photos to a bottom-feeding website. If you couldn’t resist jumping on the exploitation train, you could have at least spare readers the cynical, “we’re doing a public service” patter.
Do I hope the work that I do gets me paid? Yeah. Definitely. Do I also hope that good comes out of it? Yes. I don’t think those things are mutually exclusive.
people brush domestic violence under the rug so easily. ESPECIALLY the victim. Until we shine a light on the truth about it, people won’t take it seriously. Not that it’s the press’ job, but now that it’s out there, I personally think it’s a good thing for people to come face-to-face with it. And maybe Rihanna won’t go back to the dipshit now that she is being forced to face it herself.
Especially the victim? WTF? The batterer, society, cops, even judges trivialize this shit but “the victim?” I’m tired of someone always finding a way to blame the person who had no control over the situation.
And who the hell says Rhianna’s gonna go back to his cowardly ass? Her father himself has said otherwise (e.g., how she’s going to stand up for women when she comes forward).
Damn. This is how she’s spending her birthday. People gawking at her photo claiming that’s it’s a public service and shit as if her trauma is part of public consumption automatically and finding new and creative ways to blame her for something. She is a celebrity, yes, but this is an extreme violation of her damn privacy and Guanabee is scum to put this photo on its page. It shouldn’t even be linked.
Encantada, PPPPLEASE!!!! 1) Someone forced you to look at the post? 2) “BrutalIy battered,” dont see more than a fat lip. Could have been a picture of me in the morning.
Skeptic