By The Survivors Club Staff
November 17, 2009

To her dismay, Rihanna's bruised face became front page news last February after she was reportedly assaulted by her then-boyfriend Chris Brown. The aftermath of the event also played out in the public eye, but the songstress has recently expressed hope that her adversity will shed light on domestic violence and help women who struggle with it.

Although she drew criticism for initially standing by Brown, the 21-year-old has subsequently shown she learned a valuable life lesson and in the process uncovered a fulfilling vocation.

"I want to give as much insight as I can to young women, because I feel like I represent a voice that really isn't heard," Rihanna said, quoted by Star Magazine.

"Now I can help speak for those women," she added.

The news source also reveals that Rihanna, who is thriving professionally as she prepares to release a new album, will talk about domestic violence in the December issue of Glamour magazine.

As the world prepares to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, it may be worth remembering that an estimated 1.3 million American women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.

Most experts agree the cycle of domestic violence is unlikely to be broken without outside intervention and recommend those affected by it seek help from law enforcement, social workers or healthcare providers.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers confidential and anonymous around-the-clock help and is available in all 50 states.

Those struggling with abuse as well as survivors can find valuable resources on the website of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.