Singer Cassie Ventura has spoken out for the first time since a 2016 hotel surveillance video surfaced showing her being physically assaulted by her ex-boyfriend, Sean “Diddy” Combs.
In an emotional Instagram post on Thursday, the 37-year-old expressed gratitude for the “outpouring of love and support” she has received.
“The love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now,” Ventura wrote. “But this is only the beginning. Domestic Violence is THE issue. It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become. With a lot of hard work, I am better today, but I will always be recovering from the past.”
The disturbing footage, released by CNN earlier this month, showed Combs kicking, dragging, and throwing objects at Ventura as she tried to leave the hotel room while he was sleeping.
The incident formed the basis of a lawsuit Ventura filed last November, accusing the 54-year-old rapper of rape, sex trafficking, and domestic violence over their 10-year relationship.
Initially, Combs denied the allegations, calling them “offensive and outrageous.” However, after the video surfaced, he issued an apology, stating, “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m truly sorry.”
Despite Combs’ apology, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office stated they are “unable” to charge him due to the statute of limitations on the assault.
In her Instagram post, Ventura acknowledged the backlash she faced after filing her lawsuit, writing, “My only ask is that EVERYONE open your heart to believing victims the first time. It takes a lot of heart to tell the truth out of a situation that you were powerless in.”
She also offered support to other victims of domestic abuse, encouraging them to “reach out to your people, don’t cut them off. No one should carry this weight alone.”
