Rihanna warns women that the beating she received from a boyfriend could happen to them

Rihanna has warned women that the beating she received at the hands of a boyfriend could happen to them.

In quotes released from an upcoming interview, the Umbrella singer also revealed that her attacker Chris Brown was "definitely my first big love".

The chat with ABC Good Morning America's Diane Sawyer represents the first time the R'n'B star has spoken about the assault.

The incident in February left the 21-year-old chanteuse heavily bruised and bleeding.

Brown was later convicted for repeatedly punching his then-girlfriend around the head during the attack shortly before the pair were due to perform at the Grammys.

"This happened to me, and it could happen to anybody," Rihanna told Diane regarding the beating.