May 22, 2024 • 47 mins
In November 2023, singer Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against Sean 'Diddy' Combs. She said Diddy had put her through years of sexual violence and physical abuse. Diddy denied the claims until just this week on May 17th, shocking video was released showing the true extent of his violence.
Sources:
Court documents: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/diddy-cassie.pdf
Rolling Stone article: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/sean-diddy-combs-controversies-timeline-1234889043/
CBS footage of Diddy attacking Cassie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6G7OMRVcH0
Statement from Los Angeles County:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7FwszzJMin/
Diddy’s performative apology video:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7J4iUFRGUk/?hl=en
Vibes of a Black Girl Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7MDuzuI1Ex/?hl=en&img_index=4
The Hotline article:
https://www.thehotline.org/resources/abuse-in-the-black-community/
Organisations to support:
https://linktr.ee/ujimacommunity
https://linktr.ee/TheSafeSistersCircle
https://linktr.ee/Sistah_space
Reach out to me: social media @mandgoggs email: ipvandmepodcast@gmail.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hey guys, welcome back to IPV and me.
(00:19):
This is a little bonus episode for two reasons.
Firstly, on Saturday was the three year anniversary of this podcast which is super exciting.
I can't believe it's been three years.
And just wanna say thank you firstly for all the kind messages that everybody sent me.
(00:42):
And just for everyone for listening and for supporting me and rating the podcast, sending
me really kind messages.
I really really really appreciate it.
And this podcast as you know is so special to me and the fact that even one person would
(01:05):
listen to it means an awful lot.
So when I hear from people all over the world, when I see my listenership numbers from all
over the world, it really shocks me honestly and it makes me really happy.
And just thank you so much.
(01:26):
My second reason that I wanted to record was that the story that I'm about to talk about,
something that's been spoken about kind of off and on since late last year but this week,
as you will all know, quite a lot of new developments, shocking developments came out.
(01:50):
So I just really wanted to speak about this in real time.
And yeah, I'm also using a new recording program.
So I'm really hoping that this goes well.
I've been playing around with it.
It's very very different from the one that I usually use.
(02:12):
That one was very very simple interface.
This one looks much more complicated.
It's all a learning process.
So I'm hoping this is going to go well.
Fingers crossed.
I mean if you're listening to it then I guess it did go well.
So yeah.
But I don't know.
The other one I was using, I've been using it for the last three years but it's just,
there's too many glitches and you know it took so long for me to get the last episode
(02:38):
up because I just could not get it saved, uploaded.
It was just taking hours and hours and then crash.
I was like okay I've got to give up now.
I've got to move on from this.
So here we are.
Hopefully it all goes well.
Anyways, cause this is a bonus episode.
I'm not going to talk too much.
I just want to get right into it.
(02:59):
It's got to be short and sweet.
I will have a full episode out on this coming Tuesday which I'm very excited about.
It's a story I've wanted to for a long time and I'll tell you everything about it when
I record but there's other reasons why I'm super excited about it.
So anyways, we will get on with the story and today I am going to talk about Cassie
(03:24):
Ventura and Sean Diddy Combs.
So in November 2023, singer Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against her ex-partner Sean
Diddy Combs accusing him of sexual assault and physical abuse.
Diddy denied all allegations.
The lawsuit states that Cassie endured over a decade of Sean Combs violent behaviour and
(03:48):
disturbing demands.
She stated that he raped her in her home after she tried to leave him.
Often punched, beat, kicked and stomped on her resulting in bruises, birth slips, black
eyes and bleeding.
Blew up a man's car.
The man in question is allegedly Kid Cuddy.
After he learned he was romantically interested in Cassie, forced her to engage in sex acts
(04:13):
with sex workers while masturbating and filming the encounters, ran out of his apartment with
a firearm in pursuit of a rival industry executive whom he learned was nearby.
Demanded Cassie carry his firearm in her purse just to make her uncomfortable and demonstrate
how dangerous he is and introduced her to a lifestyle of excessive alcohol and substance
(04:35):
abuse and required her to procure a list of prescriptions to satisfy his own addictions.
Cassie and Sean met when she was 19 years old and he was 37 when he signed her to his
record label Bad Boy Records.
Within a few years he lured her into an ostentatious fast-paced and drug-filled lifestyle and into
a romantic relationship with him.
(04:56):
He was her boss and one of the most powerful men in the entertainment industry and a vicious,
cruel and controlling man nearly two decades her senior.
It's important to note here, and I failed to mention this but most of this I am getting
from the core documents that were filed and I have linked those in the episode bio.
(05:18):
But it's important to note the power dynamics here and this so very often comes into abusive
relationships and here you can see this is already a very very powerful rich man in the
entertainment industry.
(05:40):
He's 20 years older than her so there's that power dynamic also.
And she's a young impressionable girl, she's a singer wanting to get into the entertainment
industry and you know this man I'm assuming is promising her that he can get her all of
(06:03):
that.
He asserted complete control over her personal and professional life which ensured her inability
to escape the hold he had on her.
He provided unprecedented avenues for success but in return demanded obedience, loyalty and
silence.
He was prone to uncontrollable rage throughout their relationship and frequently beat her
savagely.
(06:23):
These beatings were witnessed by staff and employees of Sean's businesses but no one
dared speak up against their frightening and ferocious boss.
Following these episodes of abuse he would immediately attempt to hide Cassie and the
evidence of his rage.
He would share her with gifts, a typical pattern by her serial abusers.
In addition to the physical assaults he frequently reminded her of his ability to cause serious
(06:45):
harm such as having her carry his firearm in his purse or blowing up the car of the
man who was romantically interested in her.
He would use threats of violence and illegal substances to force her into repeated unwanted
sexual encounters with male sex workers.
She tried to escape many times over the years but every time she hit his vast network of
corporations and affiliated entities found her and those who worked for him implored
(07:10):
her to return.
Many stating that her failing to return would hinder her success in entertainment.
When she believed she had finally separated from him she joined him for dinner after which
he forced her into her home and raped her while she repeatedly said no and tried to
push him away.
The effects of the abuse continued to harm her for nearly a decade and would forever
haunt her.
(07:31):
She's required intensive medical and psychological care to recover from the trauma.
Sean remains immensely powerful and dangerous and so she seeks justice.
So here are the factual evidence that the lawyer has presented.
Within a year of signing with Bad Boy Records Sean Holmes became deeply entrenched in Cassie
(07:55):
Ventura's life almost immediately asserting possession and control over her and inserting
himself into all aspects of her career and personal life.
In November 2006 Cassie was told Sean had romantic interests in her which she was disgusted
by given the large age gap between them.
Sean positioned himself as a father figure and protector of Cassie.
For example after a brief stint in hospital Sean saw her out with her friends and even
(08:19):
though she was now fully healthy he reprimanded her telling her to go home and take care of
herself.
All the time she thought he had her best interests at heart.
Although he knew she was in a relationship at the time and he was publicly in a relationship
with Kim Porter he nevertheless pursued her.
At an after party for her 21st birthday he pulled her into a bathroom and forcibly kissed
(08:40):
her.
She didn't consent to this unwanted contact and ran out of the bathroom and the sweet and
cried.
She told her best friend was too afraid to tell anyone else.
At an award show the next day Cassie brought along her boyfriend which angered Sean.
He told her the invitation was only for her and not her significant other.
Despite her clear rejection of his advances he continued to demand her to spend time with
(09:04):
him including a week at his residence in Miami and for nights out in New York.
On one particular night when she tried to turn down a night out but decided to go as
she feared that rejecting his request would have repercussions for her album deal.
When he picked her up he was already inebriated and he gave her a pill.
When she asked what it was he dismissed her and said she would like it.
(09:24):
She later learned it was ecstasy something she had never tried and never wanted to.
This is the first time he got her high.
He then proceeded to drive recklessly and Cassie was very scared.
He appeared drunk, high and agitated.
He took her to an upscale lounge where he got into an altercation with security who
wouldn't permit his entry.
Cassie decided to go home but he messaged her incessantly all night complaining she
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left him high and alone.
In fall 2007 he paid a promoter to create a fake flyer for a party Cassie was hosting
allowing her to have an excuse to go to Miami and get away from her boyfriend using the
guise of a legitimate event she had to go to.
She was stunned at how easily he was able to recruit others to lie for him.
(10:08):
She was uncomfortable but because she was scared to go against his wishes and face repercussions
in her career she agreed to join him.
During the trip he provided her with copious amounts of drugs and she became intoxicated
more than she ever had before.
He then had sex with her.
Mr. Cohn's aggressive and demanding approach to those he worked with made it impossible
for anyone to challenge him and Ms. Ventura soon learned that Mr. Cohn's insisted on
(10:32):
blind loyalty from everyone in his inner circle.
Mr. Cohn's ostentatious display of wealth was intimidating to her.
Mr. Cohn was paid for things with wads of cash and would repeatedly tell Ms. Ventura
don't worry about money I have money.
He expensed lavish vacations for him and her, purchased a car for her, paid for her apartment
and provided her with extensive amounts of designer clothing.
(10:56):
So he here has control over literally every aspect of her life.
Around 2008 or 2009 Mr. Cohn began to rent an apartment in Manhattan for Ms. Ventura.
The apartment was within walking distance of his New York resident.
He first showed her the apartment by bringing her there along with her parents.
(11:17):
Her parents were skeptical of the moguls' displays of wealth but proud their daughters
knew found success.
In 2010 Mr. Cohn similarly paid for an apartment for Ms. Ventura in Los Angeles which was located
about five minutes away from his own residence.
He paid for many of her apartments in California and also purchased a Jaguar for her around
2013 or 2014.
(11:38):
At first Ms. Ventura was given the prescriptions that Mr. Cohn received from a doctor in Miami,
Florida.
Eventually when he exhausted his supply of pills he demanded that she procure prescriptions
from this Miami doctor in her own name.
Mr. Cohn also became deeply involved in Ms. Ventura's personal life with his staff attending
(11:58):
to Ms. Ventura's day to day travel and other needs including medical care.
On multiple occasions Mr. Cohn's had Ms. Ventura's personal medical records sent directly
to his email address.
For instance when Ms. Ventura began experiencing memory loss potentially due to excessive drug
use and or head injuries caused by him.
As described below her MRI results were provided directly to Mr. Cohn.
(12:21):
He also repeatedly arranged for his staff to drive her to certain doctors appointments.
So not only is he involved in every aspect of her life but he also has his people that
are working for him and you know who are he's also got this power over.
(12:42):
He has them infiltrated so much in her life that you know they can keep an eye on her
for him.
Early on in the relationship he asked Ms. Ventura what she called her grandfather.
When Mr. Ventura said that she referred to him as pop-up Mr. Cohn's perversely insisted
that Ms. Ventura refer to him with that nickname.
That is just sick.
(13:03):
On one occasion when Mr. Cohn's and Ms. Ventura were using drugs together in his home one
of his security staff barged in and announced that Sugnite a long time rival of Mr. Cohn's
was spotted at Mel's Drive and Diner in Los Angeles.
Mr. Cohn's began to get dressed, retrieved multiple guns from SAFE and ran out of his
(13:24):
home to where he believed Mr. Knight was dining.
Ms. Ventura became terrified and began to cry.
On at least two occasions Mr. Cohn's demanded that Ms. Ventura hold his gun in her purse.
She had no familiarity with guns and was petrified that the firearm would accidentally go off
in her purse.
There was no clear reason why he required her to hold his guns except to reinforce to
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his young girlfriend that he was violent, powerful and dangerous.
Over the next decade, multiple times each year, Mr. Cohn's have violently beat her leaving
bruises on her body.
After every instance in which he beat her, he used his money and power to orchestrate
extensive efforts to hide the evidence of his abuse, including by hiding her in hotels
(14:05):
for days at a time to let her bruises heal.
In one such instance, after a party with Jay-Z, Mr. Cohn's beat her repeatedly in an escalade,
including by kicking and hitting her.
He forced her out of the vehicle on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
She was eventually able to hail a cab and get to her apartment in Manhattan, where she
cried in fear, realizing there was no one she could tell about what had happened at the
(14:29):
hands of this incredibly powerful man.
She spent the subsequent three days hiding in her apartment.
In January 2009, after Mr. Cohn's learned that Ms. Ventura spoke to another music manager
at a party in Los Angeles, he became enraged.
She had hoped speaking to this manager would allow her to further grow her career and that
(14:49):
Mr. Cohn would be happy for her, but instead he became extremely angry and pulled her out
of the club where the party was taking place.
In the car leaving the club, he beat her, pushing her into a corner of the vehicle and
stomping on her face.
His security staff, Roger Bonds, tried to stop the beating but was unable to de-escalate
the situation.
When the car arrived at his residence, Cassie attempted to run away, but he followed her
(15:13):
and proceeded to again kick her in the face.
She was bleeding profusely and was ushered into his home where she began to throw up
from the violet assault.
Upon recognizing the damage he had done and the physical evidence of his abuse, Mr. Cohn
was panicked and forced his staff to bring Ms. Ventura to a hotel suite at the London
Hotel in Los Angeles where she was required to stay for a week.
(15:36):
During this stay, as her injuries from the beating healed, Cassie began to fully realize
that his tremendously loyal network not only knew about and witnessed his assault but also
that these witnesses were not willing to do anything meaningful to stop his behaviour.
She recognized that she was powerless and that reporting him to the authorities would
not alter his status or influence but would merely give him another excuse to hurt her.
(16:01):
While in the hotel, she asked to go home to her parents but he wouldn't let her leave.
She lied to her mother when asked about an online gossip forum that reported the assault.
Shawn proceeded to instruct his assistant to purchase excessive amounts of gifts for
her which were delivered to the hotel room where she remained trapped.
She found herself becoming numb to the abuse she was experiencing and became entirely beholden
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to Mr. Cohn's demands.
She began to blindly follow his instructions out of fear of again being on the receiving
end of a vicious beating.
While in New York City, Mr. Cohn was told at Ms. Ventura that he wanted to engage in
a fantasy of his called voyeurism.
He said that it would turn him on if he saw her with another dick.
The first time he hired a man and brought the man to his home in Los Angeles.
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The men, Mr. Cohn's and Ms. Ventura were masquerade masks and adjusted drugs.
Mr. Cohn's directed Ms. Ventura to perform sexual acts with this man while Mr. Cohn's
watched them.
He masturbated while he directed Cassie and the man to do specific sexual acts.
The entire encounter lasted multiple days.
(17:09):
Mr. Cohn's began to call the arrangement a freak off or fo.
He would repeatedly tell Ms. Ventura at random moments that he wanted an fo.
And Ms. Ventura was eventually expected to facilitate the location and the hiring of
male sex workers.
Mr. Cohn's would repeatedly tell her that his practice was our thing and our secret.
(17:30):
Cassie was eventually instructed to use websites and escort services to find male sex workers
to participate the fo's.
Mr. Cohn's told Ms. Ventura to search for large black penises on the website.
His assistants would help to set up the fo's including by setting up the hotel suites with
baby oil and astroglyte.
He always supplied Ms. Ventura and the sex worker with copious amounts of drugs before
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and during the fo's.
She was given ecstasy, cocaine, GHB, ketamine, marijuana and alcohol in excessive amounts
during fo's which allowed her to dissociate during these horrific encounters.
It became commonplace to get icy fluids in the days after an fo to recover from the excessive
substances pushed upon her.
(18:15):
She was required to dress up in laundry for an fo and Mr. Cohn's insisted she wear white
nail polish to contrast her nails with the skin of the black men he hired to have sex
with her.
During the fo, Mr. Cohn's would instruct Ms. Ventura to pour excessive amounts of
oil over herself.
Mr. Cohn's would then instruct Ms. Ventura and the sex workers to speak to each other
and then would specifically tell her where to touch them.
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Mr. Cohn's would say things like grab that big black dick and ask her how does it feel
as he directed her to perform for him.
Mr. Cohn's would use his phone, laptop and tablet to film her having sex with the hard
sex worker.
He treated the forced encounter as a personal art project adjusting the candles he used
for lighting to frame the videos he took.
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On one occasion he sat next to her on a flight and made her watch a video she thought she
would delete us, reinforcing her inability to escape and the immense power he held over
her.
During some fo's Mr. Cohn's would become extremely toxicated and would hit Ms. Ventura
in front of the male sex workers.
He even would present her with lavish gifts prior to or in the middle of, seemingly acknowledging
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the ways in which these four sexual encounters constituted work for Ms. Ventura and that
he needed to compensate her for this work.
Frequently, her anxiety before an fo would become so great that she would become physically
ill sometimes to the point of vomiting.
While kneeling over the toilet Mr. Cohn's would shame her into performing for him, eventually
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forcing her to get up and proceed with the encounter.
Now obviously all of that is extremely, extremely disturbing and I really, I can't even imagine
what that poor girl was going through.
(20:05):
It's just so horrific to me.
It's really, it's just so upsetting.
It's so upsetting.
I don't even have any more words for it.
It's just so disturbing.
Around 2015, for example, in the middle of surprise birthday dinner for Ms. Ventura's
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29th birthday, Mr. Cohn's insisted that Ms. Ventura leave the party and go to a hotel
for an fo.
When she expressed that she did not want to go, he had her cornered by his security staff
in order to force her to leave with him.
After this fo, Mr. Cohn's and Ms. Ventura went back to the hotel room that Ms. Ventura
was staying in, where some of Ms. Ventura's friends were already hanging out.
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Mr. Cohn was severely intoxicated and at one point during the night picked up one of her
friends like a child and dangled a friend over the balcony of the 17th floor hotel suite.
Cassie and her friends were scared by his behaviour, but Ms. Ventura was heavily sedated
because of the drugs she took to participate in the fo and therefore was unable to respond
to his terrifying behaviour.
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Anytime she tried to create distance between her and Mr. Cohn's, he used his networks to
find her and convince her to return to his abuse. On multiple occasions, he sent his
employees to lure Ms. Ventura back.
In 2011, during a rough patch in his and her relationship, Cassie had a brief relationship
with musician Kid Coddy.
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When Mr. Cohn was returned from a trip, he demanded another fo of her. During this fo,
Mr. Cohn was found her phone and found emails between her and Kid Coddy. Mr. Cohn's became
enraged and proceeded to place a manual corkscrew between his fingers and lunged at Cassie.
She ran away to stay at his Kid Coddy's home to escape Sean's wrath. Soon thereafter, one
(22:00):
of his staff members told her that he needed to just talk to him. Even though he was enraged,
feeling like she could not escape him and his network of enforcers, she returned to him.
He hit her several times and then kicked her in the back as she tried to run out the door.
She went to her parents' home in Connecticut where her mother took pictures of the bruises
he had left on her.
(22:22):
In February 2012, during Paris Fashion Week, Mr. Cohn was told Ms. Ventura that he was
going to blow up Kid Coddy's car and that he wanted to ensure that he was home with
his friends when it happened. Around that time, Kid Coddy's car exploded in his driveway.
She began to fully comprehend what he was both willing and able to do to those he believed
had slighted him.
(22:44):
In 2015, Cassie spoke to a popular music manager at an after party in a hotel suite
in Las Vegas. Sean saw her speaking to this manager and sternly told her to step into
the bedroom adjoining the suite. In the bedroom, Mr. Cohn was beat her severely. She ran from
corner to corner of the room trying to avoid his beating and kicking. When she tried to
(23:05):
lock herself in the bathroom, he pushed through and punched and kicked her while she crawled
up onto the toilet. Her screams were drowned out by the loud music playing in the outside
area of the hotel suite. When his head of security and assistance saw her after the assault,
they began to cry. She had two black eyes, a burst in Bruce's lip and a huge welt on
her forehead. He immediately took steps to conceal his wrongdoing. He forced her to stay
(23:29):
at his home in Holby Hills along with one of his sons. While there, he facetimed Cassie
and stated, you got to go up and put more makeup on, my son can't see you like that.
Later in 2015, while shooting a movie in Cape Town, South Africa, Cassie began a flirtatious
relationship with an actor. She spent New Year's Eve with this actor, but Mr. Cohn
(23:50):
soon found out. He called the actor and threatened him. The actor proceeded to call Cassie and
tell her, you really need to call him.
In around March 2016, during an FO at the Intercontinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles,
Mr. Cohn became extremely intoxicated and punched her in the face, giving her black eye. After
(24:12):
he fell asleep, Ms. Ventura tried to leave the hotel room, but as she exited, Mr. Cohn
was awoke and began screaming at Ms. Ventura. He followed her into the hallway of the hotel
while yelling at her. He grabbed at her and then took glass vases in the hallway and threw
them at her, causing glass to crash around them as she ran to the elevator to escape.
She managed to get into the elevator and when she got to the lobby, quickly took a cab
(24:33):
to her apartment. Upon realizing that her running away would cause him to be even angrier
with her and completely stuck in his vicious cycle of abuse, she returned to the hotel
with the intention of apologizing for running away from her abuser. When she returned, hotel
security staff urged her to get back into a cab and go to her apartment, suggesting
that they had seen the security footage showing him beating her and throwing glass at her.
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Upon information and belief, Mr. Cohn was paid the Intercontinental Century City $50,000
for the hallway security footage from that evening. After this, Cassie left her home
and come stock and went to hide away at a friend's home in Florida. James Cruz, president
of Bad Boy Management, tracked Ms. Ventura down and told her that her single would not
be released if she did not answer Mr. Cohn's phone calls. Mr. Cohn's tight hold over her
(25:24):
life had irreparably damaged her friendships. Around 2018, when she was with her friend
Kerry Morgan in her house, Mr. Cohn's uses key to Ms. Ventura's house and came in unannounced.
He and Ms. Morgan had an altercation during which she shone through a hanger at her. Upon
information and belief, the incident resulted in a settlement between them, and Ms. Ventura
(25:45):
ended up paying her additional funds in an attempt to resolve the dispute between her
close friend and her abusive and controlling boyfriend. The relationship between Ms. Ventura
and Ms. Morgan has been strange since this time. By 2017 and 2018, Ms. Ventura became
desperate to leave Mr. Cohn's and his abuse of her. She recognised that if she stayed
(26:05):
with him, she would never be able to have a successful career or ever be physically
and mentally safe. She therefore became determined to completely break away from him and his
cycle of abuse and make concerted efforts to avoid him. In September 2018, she joined
Mr. Cohn's for a dinner at an Italian restaurant in Malibu, California for what she believed
would be a discussion about concluding their relationship for good. He and Cassie returned
(26:30):
to her home, which was paid for by Sean. He forced himself into her apartment and tried
to kiss her. She told him to stop and attempted to push him away. He then forcibly pulled
off her clothing and unbuckled his belt. He proceeded to rape her while she repeatedly
said no and tried to push him away. Soon thereafter, she took steps to completely separate herself
(26:52):
from her long-time abuser, including by leaving the home that he paid for and returning the
car he purchased for her. She took all steps possible to entirely remove herself from her
abuser's ambush, including by entering into contracts to end her record deal with bad
boy entertainment. Following her escape and the cycle of abuse and sex trafficking she
(27:12):
endured, she struggled with the physical and mental manifestations of her trauma. The birth
of her two children, however, allowed her a new lease on life and gave her purpose. She
credits her children with saving her from the trauma that had consumed over a decade
of her life. Except for the months when she was pregnant with her children, she struggled
with her addictions to drugs and alcohol, addictions that were established and fueled
(27:35):
by Mr. Combs. She turned to substances to drown out the memories of her abuse. Without
being intoxicated, she suffered from horrific nightmares of the sexual acts that Mr. Combs
demanded she participate in during the regularly scheduled episodes and of the physical beatings
that she endured throughout her relationship. She had difficulty eating or sleeping and
her relationships with her family suffered. During this time, she frequently had thoughts
(27:58):
of ending her life. She checked herself into inpatient treatment at a rehabilitation centre
where she first confronted the extent of the trauma she lives with. She has required intensive
therapy and other medical care to recover from Mr. Combs' abuse and she will forever
live with the physical and psychological repercussions of the over a decade of violence, fear and
(28:19):
exploitation she endured. Although Ms. Ventura was unable to speak up against the years of
abuse she endured at the hands of Mr. Combs, she has since been able to rebuild her life
and confront her trauma. Thanks to the passage of New York's Adult Survivors Act and California
Sexual Abuse Accountability and Cover-Up Act, she is now ready enabled to also confront
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her abuser and to hold him and those who enable his abuse accountable for their actions.
So all of that is extremely, extremely shocking. So Cassie and Sean settled the lawsuit 24
hours later with Cassie saying, I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that
(29:04):
I have some level of control. Combs' lawyer stated the settlement was no way an admission
of wrongdoing. So yes, that was hard to read to be honest with you. It was like one shocking
(29:26):
thing after another and after all of this came out to make matters even worse, there
were famous people coming out saying that she was lying, that she was money grabbing,
saying you know Diddy was a great guy and he'd always looked out for them etc etc.
(29:53):
And there were just some horrendous things that were being said about her and it's you
know something that never fails to anger me but it never shocks me because I know I've
been there not on that level obviously but I understand it and every woman that comes
(30:13):
forward with a story of abuse, particularly black women, you know there are people saying
that they're lying, that they're looking for money, all the rest of it, you know I mean
we saw that with Amber Heard which I spoke about in a previous episode. So following
(30:38):
the lawsuit and the settlement, Rolling Stone wrote an article which listed controversies
over the years that involved Sean Diddy Cones. I always feel ridiculous calling him Diddy
so I'm gonna be calling him Sean or Mr Cones because you know I just yeah I just don't
(31:04):
want to call him what he wants to be called. I just yeah. Anyways so I'm gonna go through
some of these, there is a link again to the actual article in the bio but I just thought
it was really interesting and shows the power this man has and the control and all of the
(31:25):
things that he's been able to get away with over the years. So the first one is the CCNY
tragedy of 1991. Cones co-promoted a celebrity basketball game and concert at City College
of New York where 9 people died and 29 people were injured. The gym had a capacity of 2,730
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people but as many as 5,000 showed up to the event which didn't have enough security to
control the throng. After organisers closed the doors and stopped letting attendees in,
people outside broke the gymnasium's doors and rushed the lobby causing a stampede. Then
New York City Mayor David Dinkins administration published a 67 page report called a failure
(32:07):
of responsibility that cited Cones for hiring inadequate inexperienced security. Cones settled
a slew of lawsuits from family members of attendees who died at the gymnasium finalising
the last suit in 2000. The Jake Robles shooting of 1995. Cones and Death Row Records co-founder
(32:28):
Marion Shugnight were once friends but the animosity of the field of violent rivalry
between Death Row and Bad Boy started once Knight's friend and security guard Jake Robles
was killed at an Atlanta nightclub after an argument with the Bad Boy camp. The men were
celebrating musicians remain to pre-s birthday at Platinum City Club when his then Fulton
County Sheriff Deputy Chris Howard told police an argument began between members of the Bad
(32:52):
Boy and Death Row Records entourage. Howard said that he escorted Cones and his guests
outside to leave the club and thought the coast was clear to allow Knight and his entourage
to leave. But as Howard told the Los Angeles Times Knight's partner was just about ready
to get into the limo when all of a sudden Puffy's guys came from around the corner
and one of them had a gun. Howard said he chased the man who handed the gun to another
(33:16):
person who shot Robles two or three times. According to the Times the person then jumped
into a car carrying Cones associates. Robles died weeks later at the Atlanta hospital.
Cones has denied involvement in the shooting which Knight reportedly held him responsible
for.
Attacking Steve Stout 1998
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In 1998 Cones and two other men attacked Steve Stout after the music executive then
Naz's manager. Iraniously sent MTV a version of Cones and Naz Hate Me Now music video which
contains scenes depicting Cones as Jesus Christ being crucified. Cones wanted the crucifixion
scene deleted from the video and was enraged that it played on air. Stout says that Cones
(34:01):
and two men barged into his New York City office and attacked him with a champagne bottle.
He was charged with second degree assault and criminal mischief. He claims that his arm
and jaw were broken in the attack but Cones denied any bones were broken to MTV also telling
the network. I basically went to his office and what happened in his office I really can't
speak about but I can say this. The way I handled myself in his office was completely
(34:22):
wrong and I've since apologised to Steve about that and I felt like you know I just
disappointed myself. Cones was sentenced to a one day anger management class. One day.
Club shooting in New York 1999
In late December 1999 Cones and his bad boy Saini Jamal Shine Barrow were partying at
club New York when Diddy knocked a drink out of Matthew Scar Alan's hands. Alan got into
(34:47):
an argument with Cones and someone threw money in Cones face. Alan also threatened to kill
Saini. Prosecutors alleged that amid the fray all three men drew guns and Saini shot three
times in the crowded club. Three people were shot. Cones who was arrested with two 9mm
guns in his cart was charged with four weapons charges and for bribing his driver to claim
that the guns were his own. A witness at the trial said she saw both Saini and Cones shoot
(35:11):
their weapons but Cones was acquitted on all charges while Saini was found guilty of five
of his A charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Scuffle with J Cole in 2013
In 2013 Cones was allegedly involved in an altercation with J Cole at a 2013 MTV VMAs
after party. Multiple sources alleged complex that have visibly intoxicated Cones accosted
(35:35):
to Kendrick Lamar about his fiery verse on Big Sean's control where he bragged he was
king of New York. Cones allegedly tried to pour a drink on Kendrick before Cole intervened
and they got into a fight. The New York Post however reported that the scuffle occurred
after J Cole was saying inappropriate things to Sean Cones and his girlfriend Cassie. A
witness told them that some pushing and shoving happened. No punches were thrown but it was
(35:58):
a visible disturbance. Both men immediately denied a fight took place though Cole later
wrapped. My last scrap was with Puff Daddy who would have thought it. On 2021 let go
of my hand. In December 2014 Cones allegedly punched Drake over the rights to the beat
that became Drake's zero to a hundred. The Miami New York New Times reported that the
(36:21):
two got into an argument outside of the Live Night Club during DJ Khaled's event for Basel
weekend. Words were allegedly exchanged and reportedly then blows with Cones telling
Drake you will not disrespect me. Cones has denied punching Drake telling the radio show
the Breakfast Club I didn't do nothing to Drake. Drake is my friend. In June of 2015
(36:42):
Cones got into a scuffle with then UCLA assistant football coach Sal Alose. TMZ reported that
Cones was present during UCLA practice where Alose chided his son and then UCLA player Justin
Cones telling him I don't care if your dad's here this is UCLA I'm going to treat you just
like I treat everyone else. After the practice Cones and his son reportedly went to Alose's
(37:04):
office where an argument ensued and Cones grabbed him. According to one account Cones
was forcibly removed from Alose's office and then swung a kettlebell at an intern.
A rep for Cones Enterprises noticed the various accounts of the event and charges that are
being reported are wholly inaccurate. What we can say now is that any actions taken by
Mr Cones were solely defensive in nature to protect himself and his son. The LA district
(37:28):
attorney decided not to file assault charges against Cones. In 2019 Cones ex Gina Hoon
told blogger Tasha Kay that Cones physically abused her throughout her five year relationship.
She claimed he once stomped on her stomped her on the stomach causing her to lose her
breath and also punched her in the back of the head. She told Tasha Kay that he was mentally,
(37:52):
emotionally and physically abusing me. He would always compare me to Cassie and tell
me that I'm the bad one, she's a good one. She also said that everyone in Cones Circle
allowed the abuse to occur. So fast forward to March 35th of this year, 2024. Properties
(38:12):
tied to Cones in Los Angeles, New York and Miami were raided by the Department of Homeland
Security using a southern district of New York search words related to an unspecified
ongoing investigation. I'm sure you guys heard about this happening, saw there were various
videos of it going on at the time. So on May 27th which is this past week, just a few days
(38:37):
ago in fact, a video which was originally mentioned in Cassie's lawsuit above from November
that I spoke about was leaked online. I'm sure you've all probably seen it at this point,
I linked it in the bio anyways, it's very disturbing just so you know, I also kind of,
I understand like, I hate the fact that this is out there and she's having to go through
(39:00):
this and relive this all again. I also feel like it's important in a lot of ways for people
to see, like, you should not need video evidence to prove that physical abuse is happening.
And you know, even if you do have that evidence, some people will still never believe us. But
(39:24):
I do think in terms of showing just what happens to people in these situations and when people
ask that question, oh why doesn't she just leave, why didn't she leave, yada yada, this
is a video of Cassie physically trying to leave, running away, trying to get to an elevator,
(39:46):
trying to get out of the hotel and seeing what happens to her after. I think it's important
to note that. So the video shows Cassie hurrying towards an elevator in a hotel corridor when
Sean comes barreling down the hallway in just a towel, he catches up to her, grabs her neck
(40:07):
and throws her to the ground, he then kicks her hard and grabs her belongings. She appears
frozen on the floor when he kicks her again and drags her down the hallway. He then lets
go and walks away, sits down, grabs something from a table and throws it at her. And so
the LAPD released a statement about the video saying, we are aware of the video that has
(40:32):
been circulating online allegedly depicting Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los
Angeles. We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch. If the conduct depicted
occurred in 2016, unfortunately we will be unable to charge as the conduct would have
occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted. As of today,
(40:53):
law enforcement has not presented a case related to the attack depicted in the video against
Mr Combs, but we encourage anyone who has been a victim or witness to a crime to report
it to law enforcement or reach out to our office for support from our Bureau of Victims
Services. Another thing to note is a lot of the men in particular, celebrities in particular,
(41:16):
who had previously supported this man and said Cassie was another money grabbing woman,
yadda yadda yadda, trying to further her career, blah blah blah. A lot of them have
recanted their words, a lot of them haven't still. I don't take any encouragement or whatever
(41:43):
the word is from that because for me that's too little too late and it shouldn't, again
as I said, take video evidence in order for you to believe it. I felt like a lot of them
had these performative videos where they were saying I was wrong but it was more focused
on diddy you let me down I was such a fan of yours yadda yadda yadda but nothing about
(42:09):
this poor girl and I'm so sorry to her it's almost kind of like oh but I was a fan and
you let me down. I thought about you so I don't buy that bullshit. I hate when people
do things like that don't make it about you say you're sorry apologize move the fuck on
it's not about you. So then the following day diddy himself released an apology video
(42:39):
I'm not going to talk about what he said I'm not going to say what he said I have a link
for the video if you want to watch it it's again very performative he's very close to
the camera to me his eyes look dead there's no emotion in it there's no emotion in his
voice he doesn't apologize directly to Cassie it's all bullshit I don't think abusive men
(43:04):
are capable of apologizing it's all words they don't mean it there's nothing behind
us you know that they're hating that they even have to do it so I don't want to get
into the details of it to be honest with you so Meredith Fartog who represented Cassie
(43:27):
in her settlement said about the video combs most recent statement is more about himself
than the many people he's hurt when Cassie and multiple other women came forward he
denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday that he was only
compelled to apologize once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation
(43:49):
and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words. So I'm going to end with some facts
about black women and domestic abuse these most of these were posted by an Instagram
user called vibes of a black girl I have linked to their page they've got some interesting
(44:11):
stuff on there and these are just facts by various studies that have been done over the
years so firstly black women in the US are six times more likely to be killed than white
women with intimate partner violence being a key contributor in homicide in black women
from the US news and world reports black women experience significantly higher rates of psychological
(44:37):
abuse than women overall from the status of black women in the United States in the US
black women who experience intimate partner sexual violence are three times more likely
to experience abuse or a neglectful response from law enforcement when reporting the incident
from the National Library of Medicine in the UK black women who experience domestic abuse
(44:58):
are less likely to be referred to a specialist supported by police to specialist support by
police and that was by Refuge UK so how we can bring about change in our communities
stop enabling and making excuses for perpetrators always listen and believe the experiences
of black women when they share their stories hold people and media outlets accountable
(45:21):
for how they portray black women and per perpetrate harmful narratives advocate for
policy change and support legislation that protects black women include the experiences
and perspectives of black women in conversations about domestic abuse and have conversations
with black men and boys about the importance of respecting and supporting black women and
(45:43):
some black women led organizations you can support include sister space her sauna the
safe sister circle and usually my community these again are all linked in the bio so thanks
so much for listening and this was a shorter episode than usual and I just thought it was
(46:04):
really important to talk about and I also just wanted to give you guys a bonus episode
I wanted to celebrate the fact that I have been doing this for three years now it never
gets easier to tell these stories but it also feels a little liberating I feel like especially
(46:26):
seeing things in you know real time it just kind of I don't know it's it's hard to see
and it's hard to hear about but it's also great that these powerful rich men are getting
brought down and people are starting to speak out against them we've seen a rise in that
(46:48):
in the last few years and it just makes you really happy to see and I just send all the
love in the world to Cassie she's married now she has two gorgeous kids and I'm sure
this is all been so hard for her having to relive this and I just wish her everything
(47:08):
and all the best and everything she wants and I think she's so brave for starting this
in the first place because now we're seeing the effects of it and now we're seeing other
people coming forward with their stories about him and I just really want to dedicate this
episode to her and thank you guys for listening.
Hey guys, welcome back to IPV and me.
(00:19):
This is a little bonus episode for two reasons.
Firstly, on Saturday was the three year anniversary of this podcast which is super exciting.
I can't believe it's been three years.
And just wanna say thank you firstly for all the kind messages that everybody sent me.
(00:42):
And just for everyone for listening and for supporting me and rating the podcast, sending
me really kind messages.
I really really really appreciate it.
And this podcast as you know is so special to me and the fact that even one person would
(01:05):
listen to it means an awful lot.
So when I hear from people all over the world, when I see my listenership numbers from all
over the world, it really shocks me honestly and it makes me really happy.
And just thank you so much.
(01:26):
My second reason that I wanted to record was that the story that I'm about to talk about,
something that's been spoken about kind of off and on since late last year but this week,
as you will all know, quite a lot of new developments, shocking developments came out.
(01:50):
So I just really wanted to speak about this in real time.
And yeah, I'm also using a new recording program.
So I'm really hoping that this goes well.
I've been playing around with it.
It's very very different from the one that I usually use.
(02:12):
That one was very very simple interface.
This one looks much more complicated.
It's all a learning process.
So I'm hoping this is going to go well.
Fingers crossed.
I mean if you're listening to it then I guess it did go well.
So yeah.
But I don't know.
The other one I was using, I've been using it for the last three years but it's just,
there's too many glitches and you know it took so long for me to get the last episode
(02:38):
up because I just could not get it saved, uploaded.
It was just taking hours and hours and then crash.
I was like okay I've got to give up now.
I've got to move on from this.
So here we are.
Hopefully it all goes well.
Anyways, cause this is a bonus episode.
I'm not going to talk too much.
I just want to get right into it.
(02:59):
It's got to be short and sweet.
I will have a full episode out on this coming Tuesday which I'm very excited about.
It's a story I've wanted to for a long time and I'll tell you everything about it when
I record but there's other reasons why I'm super excited about it.
So anyways, we will get on with the story and today I am going to talk about Cassie
(03:24):
Ventura and Sean Diddy Combs.
So in November 2023, singer Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against her ex-partner Sean
Diddy Combs accusing him of sexual assault and physical abuse.
Diddy denied all allegations.
The lawsuit states that Cassie endured over a decade of Sean Combs violent behaviour and
(03:48):
disturbing demands.
She stated that he raped her in her home after she tried to leave him.
Often punched, beat, kicked and stomped on her resulting in bruises, birth slips, black
eyes and bleeding.
Blew up a man's car.
The man in question is allegedly Kid Cuddy.
After he learned he was romantically interested in Cassie, forced her to engage in sex acts
(04:13):
with sex workers while masturbating and filming the encounters, ran out of his apartment with
a firearm in pursuit of a rival industry executive whom he learned was nearby.
Demanded Cassie carry his firearm in her purse just to make her uncomfortable and demonstrate
how dangerous he is and introduced her to a lifestyle of excessive alcohol and substance
(04:35):
abuse and required her to procure a list of prescriptions to satisfy his own addictions.
Cassie and Sean met when she was 19 years old and he was 37 when he signed her to his
record label Bad Boy Records.
Within a few years he lured her into an ostentatious fast-paced and drug-filled lifestyle and into
a romantic relationship with him.
(04:56):
He was her boss and one of the most powerful men in the entertainment industry and a vicious,
cruel and controlling man nearly two decades her senior.
It's important to note here, and I failed to mention this but most of this I am getting
from the core documents that were filed and I have linked those in the episode bio.
(05:18):
But it's important to note the power dynamics here and this so very often comes into abusive
relationships and here you can see this is already a very very powerful rich man in the
entertainment industry.
(05:40):
He's 20 years older than her so there's that power dynamic also.
And she's a young impressionable girl, she's a singer wanting to get into the entertainment
industry and you know this man I'm assuming is promising her that he can get her all of
(06:03):
that.
He asserted complete control over her personal and professional life which ensured her inability
to escape the hold he had on her.
He provided unprecedented avenues for success but in return demanded obedience, loyalty and
silence.
He was prone to uncontrollable rage throughout their relationship and frequently beat her
savagely.
(06:23):
These beatings were witnessed by staff and employees of Sean's businesses but no one
dared speak up against their frightening and ferocious boss.
Following these episodes of abuse he would immediately attempt to hide Cassie and the
evidence of his rage.
He would share her with gifts, a typical pattern by her serial abusers.
In addition to the physical assaults he frequently reminded her of his ability to cause serious
(06:45):
harm such as having her carry his firearm in his purse or blowing up the car of the
man who was romantically interested in her.
He would use threats of violence and illegal substances to force her into repeated unwanted
sexual encounters with male sex workers.
She tried to escape many times over the years but every time she hit his vast network of
corporations and affiliated entities found her and those who worked for him implored
(07:10):
her to return.
Many stating that her failing to return would hinder her success in entertainment.
When she believed she had finally separated from him she joined him for dinner after which
he forced her into her home and raped her while she repeatedly said no and tried to
push him away.
The effects of the abuse continued to harm her for nearly a decade and would forever
haunt her.
(07:31):
She's required intensive medical and psychological care to recover from the trauma.
Sean remains immensely powerful and dangerous and so she seeks justice.
So here are the factual evidence that the lawyer has presented.
Within a year of signing with Bad Boy Records Sean Holmes became deeply entrenched in Cassie
(07:55):
Ventura's life almost immediately asserting possession and control over her and inserting
himself into all aspects of her career and personal life.
In November 2006 Cassie was told Sean had romantic interests in her which she was disgusted
by given the large age gap between them.
Sean positioned himself as a father figure and protector of Cassie.
For example after a brief stint in hospital Sean saw her out with her friends and even
(08:19):
though she was now fully healthy he reprimanded her telling her to go home and take care of
herself.
All the time she thought he had her best interests at heart.
Although he knew she was in a relationship at the time and he was publicly in a relationship
with Kim Porter he nevertheless pursued her.
At an after party for her 21st birthday he pulled her into a bathroom and forcibly kissed
(08:40):
her.
She didn't consent to this unwanted contact and ran out of the bathroom and the sweet and
cried.
She told her best friend was too afraid to tell anyone else.
At an award show the next day Cassie brought along her boyfriend which angered Sean.
He told her the invitation was only for her and not her significant other.
Despite her clear rejection of his advances he continued to demand her to spend time with
(09:04):
him including a week at his residence in Miami and for nights out in New York.
On one particular night when she tried to turn down a night out but decided to go as
she feared that rejecting his request would have repercussions for her album deal.
When he picked her up he was already inebriated and he gave her a pill.
When she asked what it was he dismissed her and said she would like it.
(09:24):
She later learned it was ecstasy something she had never tried and never wanted to.
This is the first time he got her high.
He then proceeded to drive recklessly and Cassie was very scared.
He appeared drunk, high and agitated.
He took her to an upscale lounge where he got into an altercation with security who
wouldn't permit his entry.
Cassie decided to go home but he messaged her incessantly all night complaining she
(09:47):
left him high and alone.
In fall 2007 he paid a promoter to create a fake flyer for a party Cassie was hosting
allowing her to have an excuse to go to Miami and get away from her boyfriend using the
guise of a legitimate event she had to go to.
She was stunned at how easily he was able to recruit others to lie for him.
(10:08):
She was uncomfortable but because she was scared to go against his wishes and face repercussions
in her career she agreed to join him.
During the trip he provided her with copious amounts of drugs and she became intoxicated
more than she ever had before.
He then had sex with her.
Mr. Cohn's aggressive and demanding approach to those he worked with made it impossible
for anyone to challenge him and Ms. Ventura soon learned that Mr. Cohn's insisted on
(10:32):
blind loyalty from everyone in his inner circle.
Mr. Cohn's ostentatious display of wealth was intimidating to her.
Mr. Cohn was paid for things with wads of cash and would repeatedly tell Ms. Ventura
don't worry about money I have money.
He expensed lavish vacations for him and her, purchased a car for her, paid for her apartment
and provided her with extensive amounts of designer clothing.
(10:56):
So he here has control over literally every aspect of her life.
Around 2008 or 2009 Mr. Cohn began to rent an apartment in Manhattan for Ms. Ventura.
The apartment was within walking distance of his New York resident.
He first showed her the apartment by bringing her there along with her parents.
(11:17):
Her parents were skeptical of the moguls' displays of wealth but proud their daughters
knew found success.
In 2010 Mr. Cohn similarly paid for an apartment for Ms. Ventura in Los Angeles which was located
about five minutes away from his own residence.
He paid for many of her apartments in California and also purchased a Jaguar for her around
2013 or 2014.
(11:38):
At first Ms. Ventura was given the prescriptions that Mr. Cohn received from a doctor in Miami,
Florida.
Eventually when he exhausted his supply of pills he demanded that she procure prescriptions
from this Miami doctor in her own name.
Mr. Cohn also became deeply involved in Ms. Ventura's personal life with his staff attending
(11:58):
to Ms. Ventura's day to day travel and other needs including medical care.
On multiple occasions Mr. Cohn's had Ms. Ventura's personal medical records sent directly
to his email address.
For instance when Ms. Ventura began experiencing memory loss potentially due to excessive drug
use and or head injuries caused by him.
As described below her MRI results were provided directly to Mr. Cohn.
(12:21):
He also repeatedly arranged for his staff to drive her to certain doctors appointments.
So not only is he involved in every aspect of her life but he also has his people that
are working for him and you know who are he's also got this power over.
(12:42):
He has them infiltrated so much in her life that you know they can keep an eye on her
for him.
Early on in the relationship he asked Ms. Ventura what she called her grandfather.
When Mr. Ventura said that she referred to him as pop-up Mr. Cohn's perversely insisted
that Ms. Ventura refer to him with that nickname.
That is just sick.
(13:03):
On one occasion when Mr. Cohn's and Ms. Ventura were using drugs together in his home one
of his security staff barged in and announced that Sugnite a long time rival of Mr. Cohn's
was spotted at Mel's Drive and Diner in Los Angeles.
Mr. Cohn's began to get dressed, retrieved multiple guns from SAFE and ran out of his
(13:24):
home to where he believed Mr. Knight was dining.
Ms. Ventura became terrified and began to cry.
On at least two occasions Mr. Cohn's demanded that Ms. Ventura hold his gun in her purse.
She had no familiarity with guns and was petrified that the firearm would accidentally go off
in her purse.
There was no clear reason why he required her to hold his guns except to reinforce to
(13:45):
his young girlfriend that he was violent, powerful and dangerous.
Over the next decade, multiple times each year, Mr. Cohn's have violently beat her leaving
bruises on her body.
After every instance in which he beat her, he used his money and power to orchestrate
extensive efforts to hide the evidence of his abuse, including by hiding her in hotels
(14:05):
for days at a time to let her bruises heal.
In one such instance, after a party with Jay-Z, Mr. Cohn's beat her repeatedly in an escalade,
including by kicking and hitting her.
He forced her out of the vehicle on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
She was eventually able to hail a cab and get to her apartment in Manhattan, where she
cried in fear, realizing there was no one she could tell about what had happened at the
(14:29):
hands of this incredibly powerful man.
She spent the subsequent three days hiding in her apartment.
In January 2009, after Mr. Cohn's learned that Ms. Ventura spoke to another music manager
at a party in Los Angeles, he became enraged.
She had hoped speaking to this manager would allow her to further grow her career and that
(14:49):
Mr. Cohn would be happy for her, but instead he became extremely angry and pulled her out
of the club where the party was taking place.
In the car leaving the club, he beat her, pushing her into a corner of the vehicle and
stomping on her face.
His security staff, Roger Bonds, tried to stop the beating but was unable to de-escalate
the situation.
When the car arrived at his residence, Cassie attempted to run away, but he followed her
(15:13):
and proceeded to again kick her in the face.
She was bleeding profusely and was ushered into his home where she began to throw up
from the violet assault.
Upon recognizing the damage he had done and the physical evidence of his abuse, Mr. Cohn
was panicked and forced his staff to bring Ms. Ventura to a hotel suite at the London
Hotel in Los Angeles where she was required to stay for a week.
(15:36):
During this stay, as her injuries from the beating healed, Cassie began to fully realize
that his tremendously loyal network not only knew about and witnessed his assault but also
that these witnesses were not willing to do anything meaningful to stop his behaviour.
She recognized that she was powerless and that reporting him to the authorities would
not alter his status or influence but would merely give him another excuse to hurt her.
(16:01):
While in the hotel, she asked to go home to her parents but he wouldn't let her leave.
She lied to her mother when asked about an online gossip forum that reported the assault.
Shawn proceeded to instruct his assistant to purchase excessive amounts of gifts for
her which were delivered to the hotel room where she remained trapped.
She found herself becoming numb to the abuse she was experiencing and became entirely beholden
(16:25):
to Mr. Cohn's demands.
She began to blindly follow his instructions out of fear of again being on the receiving
end of a vicious beating.
While in New York City, Mr. Cohn was told at Ms. Ventura that he wanted to engage in
a fantasy of his called voyeurism.
He said that it would turn him on if he saw her with another dick.
The first time he hired a man and brought the man to his home in Los Angeles.
(16:49):
The men, Mr. Cohn's and Ms. Ventura were masquerade masks and adjusted drugs.
Mr. Cohn's directed Ms. Ventura to perform sexual acts with this man while Mr. Cohn's
watched them.
He masturbated while he directed Cassie and the man to do specific sexual acts.
The entire encounter lasted multiple days.
(17:09):
Mr. Cohn's began to call the arrangement a freak off or fo.
He would repeatedly tell Ms. Ventura at random moments that he wanted an fo.
And Ms. Ventura was eventually expected to facilitate the location and the hiring of
male sex workers.
Mr. Cohn's would repeatedly tell her that his practice was our thing and our secret.
(17:30):
Cassie was eventually instructed to use websites and escort services to find male sex workers
to participate the fo's.
Mr. Cohn's told Ms. Ventura to search for large black penises on the website.
His assistants would help to set up the fo's including by setting up the hotel suites with
baby oil and astroglyte.
He always supplied Ms. Ventura and the sex worker with copious amounts of drugs before
(17:54):
and during the fo's.
She was given ecstasy, cocaine, GHB, ketamine, marijuana and alcohol in excessive amounts
during fo's which allowed her to dissociate during these horrific encounters.
It became commonplace to get icy fluids in the days after an fo to recover from the excessive
substances pushed upon her.
(18:15):
She was required to dress up in laundry for an fo and Mr. Cohn's insisted she wear white
nail polish to contrast her nails with the skin of the black men he hired to have sex
with her.
During the fo, Mr. Cohn's would instruct Ms. Ventura to pour excessive amounts of
oil over herself.
Mr. Cohn's would then instruct Ms. Ventura and the sex workers to speak to each other
and then would specifically tell her where to touch them.
(18:39):
Mr. Cohn's would say things like grab that big black dick and ask her how does it feel
as he directed her to perform for him.
Mr. Cohn's would use his phone, laptop and tablet to film her having sex with the hard
sex worker.
He treated the forced encounter as a personal art project adjusting the candles he used
for lighting to frame the videos he took.
(19:00):
On one occasion he sat next to her on a flight and made her watch a video she thought she
would delete us, reinforcing her inability to escape and the immense power he held over
her.
During some fo's Mr. Cohn's would become extremely toxicated and would hit Ms. Ventura
in front of the male sex workers.
He even would present her with lavish gifts prior to or in the middle of, seemingly acknowledging
(19:22):
the ways in which these four sexual encounters constituted work for Ms. Ventura and that
he needed to compensate her for this work.
Frequently, her anxiety before an fo would become so great that she would become physically
ill sometimes to the point of vomiting.
While kneeling over the toilet Mr. Cohn's would shame her into performing for him, eventually
(19:43):
forcing her to get up and proceed with the encounter.
Now obviously all of that is extremely, extremely disturbing and I really, I can't even imagine
what that poor girl was going through.
(20:05):
It's just so horrific to me.
It's really, it's just so upsetting.
It's so upsetting.
I don't even have any more words for it.
It's just so disturbing.
Around 2015, for example, in the middle of surprise birthday dinner for Ms. Ventura's
(20:29):
29th birthday, Mr. Cohn's insisted that Ms. Ventura leave the party and go to a hotel
for an fo.
When she expressed that she did not want to go, he had her cornered by his security staff
in order to force her to leave with him.
After this fo, Mr. Cohn's and Ms. Ventura went back to the hotel room that Ms. Ventura
was staying in, where some of Ms. Ventura's friends were already hanging out.
(20:52):
Mr. Cohn was severely intoxicated and at one point during the night picked up one of her
friends like a child and dangled a friend over the balcony of the 17th floor hotel suite.
Cassie and her friends were scared by his behaviour, but Ms. Ventura was heavily sedated
because of the drugs she took to participate in the fo and therefore was unable to respond
to his terrifying behaviour.
(21:15):
Anytime she tried to create distance between her and Mr. Cohn's, he used his networks to
find her and convince her to return to his abuse. On multiple occasions, he sent his
employees to lure Ms. Ventura back.
In 2011, during a rough patch in his and her relationship, Cassie had a brief relationship
with musician Kid Coddy.
(21:36):
When Mr. Cohn was returned from a trip, he demanded another fo of her. During this fo,
Mr. Cohn was found her phone and found emails between her and Kid Coddy. Mr. Cohn's became
enraged and proceeded to place a manual corkscrew between his fingers and lunged at Cassie.
She ran away to stay at his Kid Coddy's home to escape Sean's wrath. Soon thereafter, one
(22:00):
of his staff members told her that he needed to just talk to him. Even though he was enraged,
feeling like she could not escape him and his network of enforcers, she returned to him.
He hit her several times and then kicked her in the back as she tried to run out the door.
She went to her parents' home in Connecticut where her mother took pictures of the bruises
he had left on her.
(22:22):
In February 2012, during Paris Fashion Week, Mr. Cohn was told Ms. Ventura that he was
going to blow up Kid Coddy's car and that he wanted to ensure that he was home with
his friends when it happened. Around that time, Kid Coddy's car exploded in his driveway.
She began to fully comprehend what he was both willing and able to do to those he believed
had slighted him.
(22:44):
In 2015, Cassie spoke to a popular music manager at an after party in a hotel suite
in Las Vegas. Sean saw her speaking to this manager and sternly told her to step into
the bedroom adjoining the suite. In the bedroom, Mr. Cohn was beat her severely. She ran from
corner to corner of the room trying to avoid his beating and kicking. When she tried to
(23:05):
lock herself in the bathroom, he pushed through and punched and kicked her while she crawled
up onto the toilet. Her screams were drowned out by the loud music playing in the outside
area of the hotel suite. When his head of security and assistance saw her after the assault,
they began to cry. She had two black eyes, a burst in Bruce's lip and a huge welt on
her forehead. He immediately took steps to conceal his wrongdoing. He forced her to stay
(23:29):
at his home in Holby Hills along with one of his sons. While there, he facetimed Cassie
and stated, you got to go up and put more makeup on, my son can't see you like that.
Later in 2015, while shooting a movie in Cape Town, South Africa, Cassie began a flirtatious
relationship with an actor. She spent New Year's Eve with this actor, but Mr. Cohn
(23:50):
soon found out. He called the actor and threatened him. The actor proceeded to call Cassie and
tell her, you really need to call him.
In around March 2016, during an FO at the Intercontinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles,
Mr. Cohn became extremely intoxicated and punched her in the face, giving her black eye. After
(24:12):
he fell asleep, Ms. Ventura tried to leave the hotel room, but as she exited, Mr. Cohn
was awoke and began screaming at Ms. Ventura. He followed her into the hallway of the hotel
while yelling at her. He grabbed at her and then took glass vases in the hallway and threw
them at her, causing glass to crash around them as she ran to the elevator to escape.
She managed to get into the elevator and when she got to the lobby, quickly took a cab
(24:33):
to her apartment. Upon realizing that her running away would cause him to be even angrier
with her and completely stuck in his vicious cycle of abuse, she returned to the hotel
with the intention of apologizing for running away from her abuser. When she returned, hotel
security staff urged her to get back into a cab and go to her apartment, suggesting
that they had seen the security footage showing him beating her and throwing glass at her.
(24:59):
Upon information and belief, Mr. Cohn was paid the Intercontinental Century City $50,000
for the hallway security footage from that evening. After this, Cassie left her home
and come stock and went to hide away at a friend's home in Florida. James Cruz, president
of Bad Boy Management, tracked Ms. Ventura down and told her that her single would not
be released if she did not answer Mr. Cohn's phone calls. Mr. Cohn's tight hold over her
(25:24):
life had irreparably damaged her friendships. Around 2018, when she was with her friend
Kerry Morgan in her house, Mr. Cohn's uses key to Ms. Ventura's house and came in unannounced.
He and Ms. Morgan had an altercation during which she shone through a hanger at her. Upon
information and belief, the incident resulted in a settlement between them, and Ms. Ventura
(25:45):
ended up paying her additional funds in an attempt to resolve the dispute between her
close friend and her abusive and controlling boyfriend. The relationship between Ms. Ventura
and Ms. Morgan has been strange since this time. By 2017 and 2018, Ms. Ventura became
desperate to leave Mr. Cohn's and his abuse of her. She recognised that if she stayed
(26:05):
with him, she would never be able to have a successful career or ever be physically
and mentally safe. She therefore became determined to completely break away from him and his
cycle of abuse and make concerted efforts to avoid him. In September 2018, she joined
Mr. Cohn's for a dinner at an Italian restaurant in Malibu, California for what she believed
would be a discussion about concluding their relationship for good. He and Cassie returned
(26:30):
to her home, which was paid for by Sean. He forced himself into her apartment and tried
to kiss her. She told him to stop and attempted to push him away. He then forcibly pulled
off her clothing and unbuckled his belt. He proceeded to rape her while she repeatedly
said no and tried to push him away. Soon thereafter, she took steps to completely separate herself
(26:52):
from her long-time abuser, including by leaving the home that he paid for and returning the
car he purchased for her. She took all steps possible to entirely remove herself from her
abuser's ambush, including by entering into contracts to end her record deal with bad
boy entertainment. Following her escape and the cycle of abuse and sex trafficking she
(27:12):
endured, she struggled with the physical and mental manifestations of her trauma. The birth
of her two children, however, allowed her a new lease on life and gave her purpose. She
credits her children with saving her from the trauma that had consumed over a decade
of her life. Except for the months when she was pregnant with her children, she struggled
with her addictions to drugs and alcohol, addictions that were established and fueled
(27:35):
by Mr. Combs. She turned to substances to drown out the memories of her abuse. Without
being intoxicated, she suffered from horrific nightmares of the sexual acts that Mr. Combs
demanded she participate in during the regularly scheduled episodes and of the physical beatings
that she endured throughout her relationship. She had difficulty eating or sleeping and
her relationships with her family suffered. During this time, she frequently had thoughts
(27:58):
of ending her life. She checked herself into inpatient treatment at a rehabilitation centre
where she first confronted the extent of the trauma she lives with. She has required intensive
therapy and other medical care to recover from Mr. Combs' abuse and she will forever
live with the physical and psychological repercussions of the over a decade of violence, fear and
(28:19):
exploitation she endured. Although Ms. Ventura was unable to speak up against the years of
abuse she endured at the hands of Mr. Combs, she has since been able to rebuild her life
and confront her trauma. Thanks to the passage of New York's Adult Survivors Act and California
Sexual Abuse Accountability and Cover-Up Act, she is now ready enabled to also confront
(28:40):
her abuser and to hold him and those who enable his abuse accountable for their actions.
So all of that is extremely, extremely shocking. So Cassie and Sean settled the lawsuit 24
hours later with Cassie saying, I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that
(29:04):
I have some level of control. Combs' lawyer stated the settlement was no way an admission
of wrongdoing. So yes, that was hard to read to be honest with you. It was like one shocking
(29:26):
thing after another and after all of this came out to make matters even worse, there
were famous people coming out saying that she was lying, that she was money grabbing,
saying you know Diddy was a great guy and he'd always looked out for them etc etc.
(29:53):
And there were just some horrendous things that were being said about her and it's you
know something that never fails to anger me but it never shocks me because I know I've
been there not on that level obviously but I understand it and every woman that comes
(30:13):
forward with a story of abuse, particularly black women, you know there are people saying
that they're lying, that they're looking for money, all the rest of it, you know I mean
we saw that with Amber Heard which I spoke about in a previous episode. So following
(30:38):
the lawsuit and the settlement, Rolling Stone wrote an article which listed controversies
over the years that involved Sean Diddy Cones. I always feel ridiculous calling him Diddy
so I'm gonna be calling him Sean or Mr Cones because you know I just yeah I just don't
(31:04):
want to call him what he wants to be called. I just yeah. Anyways so I'm gonna go through
some of these, there is a link again to the actual article in the bio but I just thought
it was really interesting and shows the power this man has and the control and all of the
(31:25):
things that he's been able to get away with over the years. So the first one is the CCNY
tragedy of 1991. Cones co-promoted a celebrity basketball game and concert at City College
of New York where 9 people died and 29 people were injured. The gym had a capacity of 2,730
(31:46):
people but as many as 5,000 showed up to the event which didn't have enough security to
control the throng. After organisers closed the doors and stopped letting attendees in,
people outside broke the gymnasium's doors and rushed the lobby causing a stampede. Then
New York City Mayor David Dinkins administration published a 67 page report called a failure
(32:07):
of responsibility that cited Cones for hiring inadequate inexperienced security. Cones settled
a slew of lawsuits from family members of attendees who died at the gymnasium finalising
the last suit in 2000. The Jake Robles shooting of 1995. Cones and Death Row Records co-founder
(32:28):
Marion Shugnight were once friends but the animosity of the field of violent rivalry
between Death Row and Bad Boy started once Knight's friend and security guard Jake Robles
was killed at an Atlanta nightclub after an argument with the Bad Boy camp. The men were
celebrating musicians remain to pre-s birthday at Platinum City Club when his then Fulton
County Sheriff Deputy Chris Howard told police an argument began between members of the Bad
(32:52):
Boy and Death Row Records entourage. Howard said that he escorted Cones and his guests
outside to leave the club and thought the coast was clear to allow Knight and his entourage
to leave. But as Howard told the Los Angeles Times Knight's partner was just about ready
to get into the limo when all of a sudden Puffy's guys came from around the corner
and one of them had a gun. Howard said he chased the man who handed the gun to another
(33:16):
person who shot Robles two or three times. According to the Times the person then jumped
into a car carrying Cones associates. Robles died weeks later at the Atlanta hospital.
Cones has denied involvement in the shooting which Knight reportedly held him responsible
for.
Attacking Steve Stout 1998
(33:38):
In 1998 Cones and two other men attacked Steve Stout after the music executive then
Naz's manager. Iraniously sent MTV a version of Cones and Naz Hate Me Now music video which
contains scenes depicting Cones as Jesus Christ being crucified. Cones wanted the crucifixion
scene deleted from the video and was enraged that it played on air. Stout says that Cones
(34:01):
and two men barged into his New York City office and attacked him with a champagne bottle.
He was charged with second degree assault and criminal mischief. He claims that his arm
and jaw were broken in the attack but Cones denied any bones were broken to MTV also telling
the network. I basically went to his office and what happened in his office I really can't
speak about but I can say this. The way I handled myself in his office was completely
(34:22):
wrong and I've since apologised to Steve about that and I felt like you know I just
disappointed myself. Cones was sentenced to a one day anger management class. One day.
Club shooting in New York 1999
In late December 1999 Cones and his bad boy Saini Jamal Shine Barrow were partying at
club New York when Diddy knocked a drink out of Matthew Scar Alan's hands. Alan got into
(34:47):
an argument with Cones and someone threw money in Cones face. Alan also threatened to kill
Saini. Prosecutors alleged that amid the fray all three men drew guns and Saini shot three
times in the crowded club. Three people were shot. Cones who was arrested with two 9mm
guns in his cart was charged with four weapons charges and for bribing his driver to claim
that the guns were his own. A witness at the trial said she saw both Saini and Cones shoot
(35:11):
their weapons but Cones was acquitted on all charges while Saini was found guilty of five
of his A charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Scuffle with J Cole in 2013
In 2013 Cones was allegedly involved in an altercation with J Cole at a 2013 MTV VMAs
after party. Multiple sources alleged complex that have visibly intoxicated Cones accosted
(35:35):
to Kendrick Lamar about his fiery verse on Big Sean's control where he bragged he was
king of New York. Cones allegedly tried to pour a drink on Kendrick before Cole intervened
and they got into a fight. The New York Post however reported that the scuffle occurred
after J Cole was saying inappropriate things to Sean Cones and his girlfriend Cassie. A
witness told them that some pushing and shoving happened. No punches were thrown but it was
(35:58):
a visible disturbance. Both men immediately denied a fight took place though Cole later
wrapped. My last scrap was with Puff Daddy who would have thought it. On 2021 let go
of my hand. In December 2014 Cones allegedly punched Drake over the rights to the beat
that became Drake's zero to a hundred. The Miami New York New Times reported that the
(36:21):
two got into an argument outside of the Live Night Club during DJ Khaled's event for Basel
weekend. Words were allegedly exchanged and reportedly then blows with Cones telling
Drake you will not disrespect me. Cones has denied punching Drake telling the radio show
the Breakfast Club I didn't do nothing to Drake. Drake is my friend. In June of 2015
(36:42):
Cones got into a scuffle with then UCLA assistant football coach Sal Alose. TMZ reported that
Cones was present during UCLA practice where Alose chided his son and then UCLA player Justin
Cones telling him I don't care if your dad's here this is UCLA I'm going to treat you just
like I treat everyone else. After the practice Cones and his son reportedly went to Alose's
(37:04):
office where an argument ensued and Cones grabbed him. According to one account Cones
was forcibly removed from Alose's office and then swung a kettlebell at an intern.
A rep for Cones Enterprises noticed the various accounts of the event and charges that are
being reported are wholly inaccurate. What we can say now is that any actions taken by
Mr Cones were solely defensive in nature to protect himself and his son. The LA district
(37:28):
attorney decided not to file assault charges against Cones. In 2019 Cones ex Gina Hoon
told blogger Tasha Kay that Cones physically abused her throughout her five year relationship.
She claimed he once stomped on her stomped her on the stomach causing her to lose her
breath and also punched her in the back of the head. She told Tasha Kay that he was mentally,
(37:52):
emotionally and physically abusing me. He would always compare me to Cassie and tell
me that I'm the bad one, she's a good one. She also said that everyone in Cones Circle
allowed the abuse to occur. So fast forward to March 35th of this year, 2024. Properties
(38:12):
tied to Cones in Los Angeles, New York and Miami were raided by the Department of Homeland
Security using a southern district of New York search words related to an unspecified
ongoing investigation. I'm sure you guys heard about this happening, saw there were various
videos of it going on at the time. So on May 27th which is this past week, just a few days
(38:37):
ago in fact, a video which was originally mentioned in Cassie's lawsuit above from November
that I spoke about was leaked online. I'm sure you've all probably seen it at this point,
I linked it in the bio anyways, it's very disturbing just so you know, I also kind of,
I understand like, I hate the fact that this is out there and she's having to go through
(39:00):
this and relive this all again. I also feel like it's important in a lot of ways for people
to see, like, you should not need video evidence to prove that physical abuse is happening.
And you know, even if you do have that evidence, some people will still never believe us. But
(39:24):
I do think in terms of showing just what happens to people in these situations and when people
ask that question, oh why doesn't she just leave, why didn't she leave, yada yada, this
is a video of Cassie physically trying to leave, running away, trying to get to an elevator,
(39:46):
trying to get out of the hotel and seeing what happens to her after. I think it's important
to note that. So the video shows Cassie hurrying towards an elevator in a hotel corridor when
Sean comes barreling down the hallway in just a towel, he catches up to her, grabs her neck
(40:07):
and throws her to the ground, he then kicks her hard and grabs her belongings. She appears
frozen on the floor when he kicks her again and drags her down the hallway. He then lets
go and walks away, sits down, grabs something from a table and throws it at her. And so
the LAPD released a statement about the video saying, we are aware of the video that has
(40:32):
been circulating online allegedly depicting Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los
Angeles. We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch. If the conduct depicted
occurred in 2016, unfortunately we will be unable to charge as the conduct would have
occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted. As of today,
(40:53):
law enforcement has not presented a case related to the attack depicted in the video against
Mr Combs, but we encourage anyone who has been a victim or witness to a crime to report
it to law enforcement or reach out to our office for support from our Bureau of Victims
Services. Another thing to note is a lot of the men in particular, celebrities in particular,
(41:16):
who had previously supported this man and said Cassie was another money grabbing woman,
yadda yadda yadda, trying to further her career, blah blah blah. A lot of them have
recanted their words, a lot of them haven't still. I don't take any encouragement or whatever
(41:43):
the word is from that because for me that's too little too late and it shouldn't, again
as I said, take video evidence in order for you to believe it. I felt like a lot of them
had these performative videos where they were saying I was wrong but it was more focused
on diddy you let me down I was such a fan of yours yadda yadda yadda but nothing about
(42:09):
this poor girl and I'm so sorry to her it's almost kind of like oh but I was a fan and
you let me down. I thought about you so I don't buy that bullshit. I hate when people
do things like that don't make it about you say you're sorry apologize move the fuck on
it's not about you. So then the following day diddy himself released an apology video
(42:39):
I'm not going to talk about what he said I'm not going to say what he said I have a link
for the video if you want to watch it it's again very performative he's very close to
the camera to me his eyes look dead there's no emotion in it there's no emotion in his
voice he doesn't apologize directly to Cassie it's all bullshit I don't think abusive men
(43:04):
are capable of apologizing it's all words they don't mean it there's nothing behind
us you know that they're hating that they even have to do it so I don't want to get
into the details of it to be honest with you so Meredith Fartog who represented Cassie
(43:27):
in her settlement said about the video combs most recent statement is more about himself
than the many people he's hurt when Cassie and multiple other women came forward he
denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday that he was only
compelled to apologize once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation
(43:49):
and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words. So I'm going to end with some facts
about black women and domestic abuse these most of these were posted by an Instagram
user called vibes of a black girl I have linked to their page they've got some interesting
(44:11):
stuff on there and these are just facts by various studies that have been done over the
years so firstly black women in the US are six times more likely to be killed than white
women with intimate partner violence being a key contributor in homicide in black women
from the US news and world reports black women experience significantly higher rates of psychological
(44:37):
abuse than women overall from the status of black women in the United States in the US
black women who experience intimate partner sexual violence are three times more likely
to experience abuse or a neglectful response from law enforcement when reporting the incident
from the National Library of Medicine in the UK black women who experience domestic abuse
(44:58):
are less likely to be referred to a specialist supported by police to specialist support by
police and that was by Refuge UK so how we can bring about change in our communities
stop enabling and making excuses for perpetrators always listen and believe the experiences
of black women when they share their stories hold people and media outlets accountable
(45:21):
for how they portray black women and per perpetrate harmful narratives advocate for
policy change and support legislation that protects black women include the experiences
and perspectives of black women in conversations about domestic abuse and have conversations
with black men and boys about the importance of respecting and supporting black women and
(45:43):
some black women led organizations you can support include sister space her sauna the
safe sister circle and usually my community these again are all linked in the bio so thanks
so much for listening and this was a shorter episode than usual and I just thought it was
(46:04):
really important to talk about and I also just wanted to give you guys a bonus episode
I wanted to celebrate the fact that I have been doing this for three years now it never
gets easier to tell these stories but it also feels a little liberating I feel like especially
(46:26):
seeing things in you know real time it just kind of I don't know it's it's hard to see
and it's hard to hear about but it's also great that these powerful rich men are getting
brought down and people are starting to speak out against them we've seen a rise in that
(46:48):
in the last few years and it just makes you really happy to see and I just send all the
love in the world to Cassie she's married now she has two gorgeous kids and I'm sure
this is all been so hard for her having to relive this and I just wish her everything
(47:08):
and all the best and everything she wants and I think she's so brave for starting this
in the first place because now we're seeing the effects of it and now we're seeing other
people coming forward with their stories about him and I just really want to dedicate this
episode to her and thank you guys for listening.
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