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For survivor advocates, Diddy verdict is ‘a huge setback’ as accused artists prep comebacks

BBG News

Upon learning on Wednesday that Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty solely of the least severe charges leveled against him, Lauren Hersh, head of the anti-sex trafficking advocacy group World Without Exploitation, expressed sympathy for his ex-partner Casandra Ventura and other accusers.

Hersh expressed his viewpoint by stating this situation is unfortunate and disappointing. It indicates a significant cultural misconception about what sex trafficking entails and the intricate nature of manipulation. Frequently, in these instances, there’s a disturbing blend of heinous violence and affection.

Hersh, who once led the sex-trafficking unit at the district attorney’s office in Kings County (Brooklyn), commented that Combs’ verdict – found guilty on two counts of transporting for prostitution but not guilty on one for racketeering and two for sex trafficking – presents a confusing picture of Combs’ behavior. However, it may be perceived as a setback for the effort to make powerful individuals answer for alleged sex crimes.

In a time when artists such as Marilyn Manson and Chris Brown have managed successful returns following high-profile investigations and legal battles over allegations of abuse, Hersh expresses concern that the acquittal of Diddy could discourage prosecutors from pursuing similar cases against influential men, potentially undermining the MeToo movement’s efforts to secure justice for victims of abuse.

Hersh stated that this development is a significant setback, particularly at a time when powerful individuals seem to act without consequence. He suggested that this event signifies to victims that we’re not yet fully embracing their stories or grasping the intricacies of exploitation due to the MeToo movement. However, he remains optimistic that it could serve as an opportunity for education, enabling us to comprehend the nature of trafficking and the nuances of coercion.

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In an unconventional move, they employed a tactic usually saved for prosecuting organized crime figures, to bring charges against a renowned musician, accusing him of violence, threats, and bribes.

In my perspective, the accusations against me were not a judgement on whether I had mistreated Ventura or the numerous individuals who attended my “freak-off” gatherings, which were infamous for their combination of group sex, drug use, and an alleged culture of decadence and violence surrounding me.

This statement aims to convey that the charges were not solely focused on one incident (in this case, the mistreatment of Ventura), but rather encompassed a broader context involving multiple people and events related to my parties.

In simpler terms, during court proceedings, it was openly acknowledged by Sean Combs’ legal team that his connection with Kimberly Ventura was marked by violence, as evident in a notorious 2016 elevator video at the InterContinental hotel in Los Angeles showing Combs physically assaulting Ventura. Towards the end of the trial, one of Combs’ attorneys, Marc Agnifilo, stated that Combs struggles with drug issues but portrayed his relationship with Ventura as a contemporary love story, where the music mogul takes responsibility for the domestic violence that occurred within it.

In a court hearing regarding my potential bail conditions, federal prosecutors stated from my perspective: “I openly acknowledged my status as a chronic drug user and a frequent perpetrator of domestic violence within the home.

The jury determined that Combs’ actions, despite being highly condemnable, didn’t prove to be part of a criminal enterprise like racketeering or sex trafficking beyond any reasonable doubt. It remains unclear how this case will influence efforts within music and other industries to bring abusers to justice.

Numerous lawsuits against the music tycoon are ongoing in court, potentially impacting his financially strained resources. The sordid details of the trial and fierce criticisms from numerous accusers have significantly damaged Combs’ reputation.

Still, for victim advocates, the verdict was a bitter disappointment.

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In part, the contested verdict represents a triumph for Combs, as his lawyers had maintained that the charges against him were excessive and the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence.

This makes me feel sick to my stomach.” She added, “I imagine Cassie must be feeling awful. I think I might throw up.

As a fellow movie buff and music lover, I find myself deeply moved by the words penned by Kesha back in 2014: “Cassie, I stand with you. You’re incredible. Your resilience is a guiding light for every survivor.” This powerful statement comes from an artist who bravely took on producer Dr. Luke, accusing him of abuse and eventually suing him. In her performances of the hit song “Tik Tok,” Kesha has often reworked the lyrics to send a clear message against music mogul Combs.

50 Cent, a longtime adversary of Diddy, seemed to concede a partial defeat. On Instagram, he posted, “Diddy outsmarted the federal authorities, that guy’s a bad man,” followed by a reference to a well-known mobster known for avoiding convictions. “He beat the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) act; he’s like the gay John Gotti.

Mitchell Epner, a past assistant U.S. attorney in New Jersey who handled multiple sex trafficking and forced labor cases, stated that while there have been some well-known sex trafficking cases leading to convictions lately, proving the allegations against Combs was never going to be straightforward.

In recent times, figures like Ghislaine Maxwell, Keith Raniere, and R. Kelly have been prosecuted for their involvement in human trafficking connected to the Jeffrey Epstein case, NXIVM, and R. Kelly’s activities respectively. The indictment against Sean Combs, however, is different; it alleges he shared women with others he was compensating, not for financial gain but for personal gratification, which technically falls under sex trafficking laws. Yet, this behavior seems to be a secondary aspect compared to the primary concerns Congress had in mind when drafting these laws.

Overcoming obstacles in bringing accusations against influential individuals regarding questionable sexual encounters, and distinguishing these from criminal acts of abuse that require no doubt but reasonable certainty, makes it challenging to successfully bring such cases to trial.

Proving charges against powerful men for suspicious sexual activities can be tough, as it’s hard to differentiate between inappropriate relationships and criminal offenses beyond any shadow of a doubt, making these trials harder to win.

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A knowledgeable individual discusses potential strategies used by offenders to attract and manipulate victims, as well as implications of the Combs’ accusation for evolving perspectives on the nature of human trafficking for sexual exploitation.

A specialist shares insights into methods that abusers employ to lure and dominate their victims, shedding light on the significance of the Combs case in shaping modern understandings of sex trafficking dynamics.

Without any formal convictions, a number of artists who’ve recently faced accusations have managed to stage successful returns to public attention.

Since 2021, shock-rock artist Marilyn Manson has been under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department due to multiple allegations of sexual assault and abuse. These accusations come from actresses like Evan Rachel Wood from “Westworld” and Esmé Bianco from “Game of Thrones”.

In January, District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that the time limit for prosecuting Manson’s accusations of domestic violence had passed, and he expressed doubts about their ability to substantiate rape claims.

Though we can’t file charges in this specific case, Hochman stated previously, it’s clear that the passionate activism of these women has significantly increased understanding about the struggles faced by victims of domestic violence and sexual misconduct.

Bianco explained to The Times that “Survivors of abuse often encounter significant obstacles in seeking justice due to a toxic environment that blames victims, ignorance about coercive control, the intricate nature of sexual assault within relationships, and outdated laws that don’t align with the healing process. Regrettably, our judicial system has once again fallen short in serving survivors.

Manson refutes every accusation directed towards him. Since then, he’s put out a new album and successfully completed tour dates.

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Marilyn Manson returns to tour after rape allegations. Activists are furious

As a passionate admirer, I find myself disheartened by the news of the Shock Rocker’s comeback, as it has ignited fury among women who have accused him of abuse and left activists in shock, given his denial of all allegations, performing once more on grand stages.

Simultaneously, R&B artist Chris Brown found himself at the center of “Chris Brown: A History Revealed,” a documentary from 2024 that brought fresh perspectives to a 2022 lawsuit where a woman claimed Brown had raped her on Combs’ yacht in 2020.

The lawsuit filed against Brown, which is one of numerous civil and criminal accusations spanning years, starting from the well-known 2009 altercation where he physically harmed his girlfriend Rihanna, has been dropped. In 2020, another sexual assault claim against Brown concerning an incident in 2017 at his residence was settled out of court. Presently, Brown is under criminal investigation for an alleged attack involving a music producer using a tequila bottle in a London nightclub that took place in 2023.

I, Brown, have refuted the allegations presented in the documentary, and my legal team deemed it defamatory. Consequently, I took legal action against Warner Bros. Entertainment to the tune of $500 million. As for now, I am embarking on a stadium tour that will culminate at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood come September.

In the meantime, Combs might still encounter various criminal and civil penalties. Potentially, he could receive a sentence ranging from the minimum of no time at all up to a maximum of 10 years for each prostitution charge. Alternatively, his sentence could be significantly reduced. Some experts suggest that he may even serve the time he has already spent in custody and be released without further punishment.

It’s uncertain if Sean Combs will regain the level of influence he held during his ’90s reign at Bad Boy Entertainment or the multimedia-mogul status he enjoyed in the 2000s, should he reenter public life. The path that Russell Simmons, a former hip-hop mogul, has taken – damaged reputation and culturally insignificant – appears to be the most probable outcome for Combs.

Nevertheless, crowds of his backers gathered outside the New York courthouse, brandishing bottles of baby oil – a notorious aspect of the case – in a somewhat sarcastic display of jubilation following his acquittal on the gravest allegations.

If Diddy (Combs) considers returning to music at some point, he’ll find support from Ye (Kanye West), who has been embroiled in controversy. In court, Ye has shown solidarity with Combs, and they have collaborated musically on the song “Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine.” Additionally, Ye has displayed the logo of Combs’ former fashion label Sean John on his clothing line.

As a film enthusiast, I find it fascinating that President Trump, who himself has faced criminal charges and sexual misconduct allegations, is now considering granting a pardon to Sean Combs. In his own words, he’s not making this decision based on popularity but rather on the merits of the case. He’s stated that if he believes someone has been unfairly treated, he would indeed take a close look at the facts surrounding Combs’ situation.

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2025-07-03 05:01

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