Singer Rihanna has spoken on US TV for the first time about being assaulted by ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, warning that "it could happen to anybody".
The 21-year-old, who was interviewed on ABC's Good Morning America programme, also called her brief reconciliation with Brown "embarrassing". "I realised that my selfish decision for love could result in some young girl getting killed," she added.
Brown was sentenced to five years' probation after February's assault. The singer, who has since apologised to fans for his actions, was also given a community service order. MTV is due to air an interview with Brown on Friday.
Rihanna, who is due to release her new album Rated R on 23 November, told interviewer Diane Sawyer: "I am strong. This happened to me. I didn't cause this. I didn't do it."
The singer added of her decision to reconcile with Brown after the assault: "So far in love, so unconditional, that I went back. That's not what I want to teach people." The Barbadian-born star admitted that the blaze of publicity that surrounded the attack had been hard to deal with.
"There are a lot of women who have experienced this, but not in public. That made it really difficult. I thought 'there goes my little bit of privacy.' "It's something that nobody wants anybody to know. So here I am, the whole world knowing," she said.
Rihanna offered advice to women tempted to go back to their partner after an incidence of domestic violence: "Don't react off of love." Further extracts of ABC's interview with the singer will be screened on Friday in the US.
