R&B singer Cassie testified on Wednesday that her ex-boyfriend Sean “Diddy” Combs raped her after she ended their ten-year relationship. The incident occurred when she tried to break up with him and he forced his way into her Los Angeles apartment, proceeding to rape her on the living room floor. Cassie revealed that Combs had locked her in a life of physical abuse by threatening to release degrading sexual videos of her if she didn’t comply with his demands.
Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, shared her harrowing experience during Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial in Manhattan. She expressed fear for her career and family, detailing how Combs would control her by making her have hundreds of encounters with male sex workers while he watched and orchestrated the activities for hours or even days. Despite their lengthy relationship, Cassie admitted that she couldn’t refuse Combs’ demands due to the consequences he threatened to impose on her.
During the trial, prosecutors presented five still images from the sex videos that depicted Cassie in various stages of the encounters referred to as “freak-offs” by Combs. The jury’s reaction to the images was evident, with one juror widening their eyes and another shaking their head in disbelief. As the sensitive nature of the images was acknowledged, the feed to the public gallery and overflow rooms was cut off, and printed copies were provided to the judge and defense counsel.
Cassie’s testimony shed light on the dark side of her relationship with Combs, which was previously portrayed as glamorous in public. The couple, who first met in 2005 when Cassie was 19 and Combs was 37, had their fair share of public appearances and red carpet moments. However, behind the scenes, Cassie endured physical and emotional abuse, including violent incidents where Combs attacked her, leaving her with bruises and scars that she tried to conceal with makeup and clothing.
Throughout the trial, Combs has maintained his innocence, denying all allegations of sexual exploitation and violence. His defense team plans to challenge Cassie’s credibility and the details of her account, focusing on aspects like infidelity to undermine her testimony. Despite the legal battle ahead, Cassie bravely came forward to share her story, emphasizing that she could no longer carry the shame and guilt associated with her past experiences.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, it’s crucial to seek help from organizations like the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline. These resources offer support and guidance to individuals facing similar challenges, emphasizing the importance of speaking out against abuse and seeking assistance to break free from harmful situations.
