With domestic abuse propelled into the mainstream after Chris Brown’s alleged assault against Rihanna, Rosie O’Donnell reacted to the message it sends not only to her own children, but to young women who might be in a similar situation.
Access Hollywood caught up with O’Donnell at Jane Fonda’s return to the stage in “33 Variations” on Broadway at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre in New York, where the always-outspoken former talk show host sounded off.
“My son said, ‘Oh boy, I wonder what she did to make him mad,’” O’Donnell told Access. “That’s the time to start re-educating there.”
And it’s not just her own children that O’Donnell is concerned with.
“So, especially young women, the time to leave someone who hits you is after the first time… that’s it.” O’Donnell continued. “Because the chances of them turning around and changing are minimal.”
As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Brown allegedly assaulted Rihanna during the early hours of Feb. 8, biting and hitting her before leaving the scene.
Brown turned himself in and was arrested several hours later by the LAPD on charges of making criminal threats. He was released on $50,000 bail.
A week after the incident, Brown released a statement to Access.
“Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired,” he said in his statement. “I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God’s help, to emerging a better person.”
Last week, a judge approved a request by Brown’s attorney to delay the R&B star’s arraignment in Los Angeles Superior Court on two felony charges for an alleged incident involving Rihanna.