by Thinus Ferreira
His cycle of abuse and the troubled past of American singer Chris Brown will be exposed in the new documentary Chris Brown: A History of Violence coming to Investigation Discovery (DStv 171) on 8 November as part of the channel's annual "No Excuse for Abuse" campaign.
Sunny Hostin is the presenter of the new documentary which will be on ID, coming amidst growing public pressure on Big Concerts and Chris Brown to cancel a concert tour to South Africa in December.
After growing public backlash, the local NGO Women For Change started a petition calling for a boycott of Chris Brown's performance at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, the controversial artist trolled the organisation by noting that he "can't wait to come".
ID will broadcast Chris Brown: A History of Violence on Friday 8 November at 21:00.
"In 2009 the world was exposed to a much darker side of the pop star when he
made headlines for assaulting his then-girlfriend, Rihanna. This arrest put a
spotlight on Brown and his adult life, which has involved multiple violent
incidents, including intimate partner violence, assault charges, and even sexual
assault allegations," ID says.
"Chris Brown: A History of Violence charts
Chris Brown's past all the way back to his troubled childhood, explores the
lasting impact of the cycle of abuse, and poses the question: how does a man
with such a violent public record maintain his superstar status?"
"With expert
and cultural commentary layered throughout, the documentary provides thoughtful
reflections on each survivor's experience and the psychological destruction
left in the aftermath of their abuse."
Sunny Hostin says "Throughout my career, I have
always prioritised being a fierce defender of women and children".
"Domestic violence is a very close, personal issue to me as I reflect
on my past as a prosecutor of these types of cases and in my role as a mother
and public figure whose actions inform and help shape the next generation."
"This
issue is a prevalent epidemic which knows no socio-economic boundaries, so I am
dedicated to expanding and continuing this crucial conversation. The more we
know, the better we can help advocate for change as a society."
Jason Sarlanis, ID president, says "ID is dedicated to empowering
individuals and communities through its programming and campaigns. Our annual
No Excuse for Abuse campaign amplifies this message, providing resources to
show survivors and their loved ones that they are not alone and that help is
available".
"In our third year, we are
creating impactful content and collaborating with champions like Sunny Hostin,
who brings her expertise and passion to lead thoughtful and nuanced discussions
on domestic violence."