The father of pop star Rihanna is blaming the Los Angeles Police Department for the leak of a photo showing his daughter’s battered and bruised face following a domestic dispute with Chris Brown.
"Sloppy work on their part," says Ronald Fenty, speaking to People.com via telephone from Barbados Friday, shortly after the photo appeared Thursday night on TMZ.com.
The Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement asking for the public to help with "information concerning the unauthorized release of the photograph." Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton told reporters that along with launching an internal investigation into whether the photo is police evidence, he is also looking into how TMZ obtained the picture. He said the department may pursue a felony conspiracy case against TMZ and whomever might have helped them get the image.
Bratton said he suspected someone within the department leaked the photo, but did not elaborate or go so far as to confirm that it came from police evidence files.
"We are not treating this lightly," Bratton said. "It’s an embarrassment to this department if in fact evidence was leaked. It’s going to be a very painful experience for any personnel from this department and possibly those who they may have engaged in a conspiracy with to violate the laws of California." and Steve-O (MTV’s "Wildboyz").
While some advocates for abused women saw the leaked photo as a violation of the victim’s right to privacy, others view it as a teaching moment, reports the Associated Press.
"If it could happen to Rihanna, it could happen to anyone," said Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women. There are an estimated 4.8 million domestic violence attacks on women and another 2.9 million attacks on men each year, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
"Maybe it is a good idea if it’s her, if young girls see this," said Susan Murphy-Milano, a Chicago author and advocate for battered women. She said she hopes it makes them think, "Is the next picture going to be of her in a morgue?"
"The reality that domestic violence can happen to anyone, even someone with fame and celebrity, ought to bring home the point that this is a problem for our entire society," Gandy said. "We can’t avoid or ignore it."
As previously reported, Rihanna’s camp released a statement assuring fans that she is doing well, but is unable to discuss the incident involving Brown.
"At the request of the authorities, Rihanna is not commenting about the incident involving Chris Brown," her publicist said in the statement. "She wants to assure her fans that she remains strong, is doing well, and deeply appreciates the outpouring of support she has received during this difficult time."
Reprinted with permission
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