Cassie Ventura breaks silence after Diddy abuse footage surfaces

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Ventura’s post generated over 42,000 comments, with many survivors of domestic abuse speaking out.

“Seeing that horrific video footage brought back so many personal painful memories,” one follower wrote. “Some women don’t make it out alive.”

“You’ve given a voice to those who suffer in silence. I am the daughter of someone whose life was taken due to domestic violence,” another added. “I am so happy you are safe and healing and so thankful you have spoken up for those who are too scared to.”

Ventura sued Combs last November, claiming the rapper raped and sex trafficked her over the course of their abusive 10-year relationship.

The lawsuit was settled a day later, with Ventura saying: “I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control. I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support.”

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Combs, 54, denied the allegations, but issued a statement that said: “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.”

Last week, security video aired by CNN showed Combs attacking Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. It was the latest in a series of allegations of physical and sexual violence involving the musician.

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The video aired Friday and showed Combs, wearing only a white towel, punching and kicking the Me & U singer who was his protege and longtime girlfriend at the time. The footage also showed Combs shoving and dragging Cassie, and throwing a vase in her direction.

According to the Associated Press, Ventura’s lawsuit alleged that Combs paid the hotel $50,000 for the security video. CNN did not say how it obtained the video but noted that it verified the location comparing it to publicly available images of the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles.

After Cassie’s lawsuit was settled, Combs was hit with several more lawsuits filed in the following months, and was subjected to a federal criminal sex-trafficking investigation that led authorities to raid his mansions in Los Angeles and Miami.

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“The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behaviour of Mr. Combs,” said Douglas Wigdor, an attorney for Cassie who has filed other lawsuits against Combs. “Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”

A tearful Combs apologized over the weekend, calling his actions “inexcusable.”

“I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now,” the music mogul said in a video statement posted Sunday to Instagram and Facebook.

“It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that,” Combs said in the video. He adds, “I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to be a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”

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Last December, after Ventura and at least three other women had filed lawsuits against him, Combs posted a statement on Instagram denying any allegations of abuse.

“Let me absolutely clear. I did not do any of the awful things being alleged,” his post said.

But following the release of the 2016 security video, Combs was hit with more allegations of abuse.

Former model Crystal McKinney accused Combs of sexually assaulting her at his New York City recording studio in 2003 in a lawsuit filed this past Tuesday.

According to the complaint, filed in New York and obtained by and reported on by NBC News, McKinney smoked some marijuana, which she “later came to understand” was laced with a narcotic or intoxicating substance, before Combs allegedly raped her in a bathroom.

Combs’ representatives did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment on this latest accusation.

— With files from the Associated Press

mdaniell@postmedia.com

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