In homes across the country, many different kinds of people are secret victims of domestic abuse. But when it happens to celebrities that we feel like we know from magazines or that we hear on the radio every day, the news hits us in an entirely different way.

The recent abuse incident between Chris Brown and Rihanna brings to mind that no matter how well-liked some celebrities are, one night can change everything. On the evening of Saturday, February 7th, the day before the Grammys, the couple was involved in an argument, after which Brown turned himself in to the police. He was later released on $50K bail after being accused of charges for making criminal threats, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of four years.

The 19-year-old Brown and 21-year-old Rihanna, who, as recently as three weeks ago, were a serious power couple, have been the target of some serious allegations. Pictures of Rihanna’s bruised and battered face can be shocking to some people, but many others may see this a new case among thousands each year.

In 2005, both Chris Brown and Rihanna came onto the music scene, separately marked their territory, and created a wide fan base. Brown was a 16-year-old from Tappahannock, VA, who hit it big with his first single, “Run It.” His charisma during performances and his bold style attracted a wide audience. He went on to record songs with various rap artists, making him a household name.

Rihanna hailed from Barbados and hit the music scene when she was 18. She started out with fun hit songs like “Pon De Replay” and then took on some heavier tracks with her second album, A Girl Like Me. Her steadily-developing image as a confident young woman with catchy songs made her a pop sensation.

Brown is not due in court until March 5th, but already his career has been affected. He has lost endorsement deals with both Doublemint and the Got Milk campaign, and so far two radio stations, 96.5 KISS FM in Cleveland and 100.9 WNOU FM in Indianapolis, have stopped playing his songs. Even “Sesame Street,” which aired a show featuring the star on August 13, 2007, has decided to pull the episode.

Brown himself has kept pretty quiet about the incident, making a singular statement of apology on February 15th, where he says he is “sorry and saddened over what happened” and that “ he is seeking the counseling of his pastor as well as his family.” He does not admit any fault through this apology, however, and his record label, Zomba, remains silent on the subject. He has bowed out of several public appearances, including many events he was slated to attend at the NBA All-Star Game on February 15th. Rihanna has also cancelled shows in Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as the party she had planned on February 20th for her 21st birthday.

A recent MTV News Special, “Chris and Rihanna: Love in Trouble,” (originally aired on February 16th) shows a previously unaired portion of an interview with Chris Brown from February, 2006. Brown discussed some details about his own personal experience with abuse and a stepfather who abused his mother when he was about eight years old. While this might be an impetus to avoid abuse later in life, according to Clarkprosecutor.org, a website that speaks out on facts about domestic violence, “boys who witness their father’s abuse of their mothers are more likely to inflict severe violence as adults.”

Felicia Ryan, a Bayonne, NJ, resident who founded and ran the Women in Self Help (WISH) organization from 1989-1995, said that women find it very hard to leave abusive relationships because they either saw their parents get abused or come from violent homes.

“Sometimes the girl thinks that this behavior is commonplace,” said Ryan. ”Good chances are she grew up in a house where a woman was degraded. Ninety-five percent of the men who became abusers had come from an abusive household themselves.”

In fact, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States. Ryan has found that women of all ages and from all walks of life sought help through her program. The common factor in all of the women, according to Ryan, was that they were all talked down to in a similar way, “as if the men were trained to be abusive. “

Concerning the abuse of African-American women, one can consider many factors. Lori S. Robinson, who wrote the book I Will Survive: The African-American Guide to Healing From Sexual Assault and Abuse, states that African-American women are more likely to be abused due to a history of victimization.

“Black women are disproportionately poor and have limited resources,” Robinson said. “Also, the black community has a stigma attached to getting therapy or getting support.”

Robinson explains that the history of racism and violence within the black community makes black women feel a responsibility to protect their men. Said Robinson, “We know black men are given longer prison sentences than white men. There are divided loyalties: should I protect myself or am I contributing to racist violence?”

For fans of both Brown and Rihanna, a few questions now remain: how will this affect those who listen to their music? Will this change women’s rights against abusers? If Rihanna admits she’s been a victim and Brown admits being abusive, it could alter the way fans look at their talents and possibly, the way domestic violence is viewed as a whole. Certainly, Brown’s all-American image has been tarnished, but facts and allegations can only take you so far.

If you or anyone you know may be suffering from domestic abuse, do not hesitate to report it. Please call the National Domestic Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE(7233). Your call is completely confidential.