Insider Scoop: NOW President Terry O'Neill on Chris Brown

September 3, 2009

An email from NOW President Terry O'Neill as she responds to Chris Brown's interview on Larry King:

Chris Brown told Larry King he is still in shock over what he did to Rihanna. That's because he's still in denial over what he did. It's all too common for offenders to claim that they are "not the kind of person who would do such a thing." But when we allow them to evade responsibility by re-defining themselves in this way, we trivialize their crimes and jeopardize their victims' ability to heal and stay safe.

The fact is that Chris Brown committed a vicious assault, and thus by definition he is that kind of person. We do Rihanna and all survivors of intimate partner violence a grave disservice by buying into his "non-denial denial." I for one am not convinced.