Cassie Ventura, a singer, and model, broke her silence on social media after a 2016 video showing her then-boyfriend, Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting her inside a hotel was released. In her Instagram post, Ventura thanked everyone for their love and support and emphasized that domestic violence is a serious issue that she has been recovering from. She encouraged others in similar situations to reach out for support and not to carry the weight alone.
Diddy also apologized in a video after the surveillance footage of the alleged assault surfaced, acknowledging that his behavior in the video was inexcusable and taking full responsibility for his actions. Ventura’s lawyer responded to Diddy’s apology, stating that it focused more on himself than the people he had hurt. Ventura had previously settled a lawsuit against Combs in November 2023, accusing him of sex trafficking and sexual assault during their relationship, where she alleged he had physically abused her.
Combs is facing multiple civil lawsuits, including allegations of rape and sex trafficking. The latest lawsuit was filed by former model Crystal McKinney, claiming she was drugged and sexually assaulted by Combs after meeting him at a 2003 Fashion Week event in New York City. Combs has denied any wrongdoing and is under federal investigation over allegations of human and sex trafficking, with his homes in Los Angeles and Miami being raided by federal agents in March. He has not responded to McKinney’s civil lawsuit.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233, or help can be accessed through their chat on thehotline.org. Ventura’s message on social media emphasized the importance of believing victims the first time and reaching out for support to begin the healing journey from the trauma of domestic violence. The ongoing legal battles and investigations involving Combs shed light on the prevalence of domestic violence and the importance of standing with survivors.
