By Debbie Emery - Breaking Celebrity News Reporter

The surprising interview that Rihanna did with Oprah Winfrey saying that she still loves ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, even after he viciously beat her, has caused concern from fans who worry that she is still under the R&B singer's control, but Breaking Celebrity News can exclusively reveal that her declaration of devotion for him means that she is moving on from the assault.

"Rihanna's comments demonstrate that people can heal after an abusive relationship. Her ability to forgive Chris Brown demonstrates that forgiveness and peace are part of the healing process," Angela Hale of the National Domestic Violence Hotline told Breaking Celebrity News in an exclusive interview Monday.

"In all relationships, your first love always has a special place in your heart," she said. "In abusive relationships, there are parts of those relationships that are good. That is why it is so hard for women to leave an abusive relationship, because they remember the good times. But, everybody deserves self respect and the right to a healthy and loving relationship, free of abuse," she explained.

As Breaking Celebrity News previously reported, the 'S&M' singer, 24, opened up in her appearance on Oprah's Next Chapter about her oft-speculated relationship with Brown - she says they're currently "very close friends" - after he famously beat her in February of 2009.

"We built a trust again and that's it," the 'Umbrella' singer, who said she's single, told Oprah on Sunday's show. "We love each other and we prob