Judge Patricia Schnegg sentenced Chris Brown this afternoon to five years of felony probabtion and 180 days of community labor.  The judge was emphatic that Brown serve, “actual physical labor, as opposed to some type of community service.”  He will also be required to attend domestic violence counseling for a year and pay a fine of $2,500.  The judge wants him back in court on November 19 for a progress report.

CNN reported on Brown’s public apology:

I take great pride in me being able to exercise self-control, and what I did was inexcusable.  I am very sad and very ashamed of what I’ve done.  My mother and my spiritual teachers have taught me way better than that.

As many of you know, I grew up in a home where there was domestic violence, and I saw firsthand what uncontrolled rage can do.  I have sought and I am continuing to seek help to ensure that what occurred in February can never happen again.

I hope so.

Rihanna has been criticized by many who don’t fully understand the dynamics of domestic violence for asking the judge to lift the “stay away” order.  I think those critics don’t fully appreciate how difficult it would be for them to avoid contact because their careers demand they attend many of the same professional functions like the Grammy Awards.

If you are currently involved with a pit bull abuser like Chris Brown, I encourage you to read my posts, Rihanna: Should You Stay? Should You Leave? and Remembering Crystal: Life’s Lessons on Escaping the Abuse of a Powerful Man.  On my Survive, Thrive, Joy page, I have an annotated archive of my posts on survival strategies, and abuse recovery.  Additional information for those with Complex-PTSD is archived on my Kate’s Couch:  PTSD Therapy page.