By Ericka Alston Buck,
Special to the AFRO
The latest twist in the legal saga surrounding hip-hop icon Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has revealed new allegations of sex trafficking, as the spotlight on sexual assault and harassment in the entertainment industry widens.
On March 25 two residential properties of Combs, the entertainment mogul who rose to fame through the 90s and 2000s, were raided by authorities. Video of law enforcement officers simultaneously executing search warrants on different coasts of the country were broadcast live by news networks at home and abroad.
Now, sex trafficking advocates are weighing in on the allegations against the man who has become a staple of the entertainment industry.
Natasha Guynes, founder and president of HER Resiliency Center, poignantly spoke with the AFRO about the troubling intersection of power and abuse in the music industry.
“Sex trafficking is about power and control. Traffickers with significant influence such as Diddy gaslight their victims,” she said. According to the definition provided by Psychology Today, “gaslighting” is a form of manipulation where a victim begins to “question what they know to be true, often about themselves. They may end up doubting their memory, their perception and even their sanity.”
Gunes said victims may be slow to seek help because “doubt and victim-blaming are the first reactions to accusations against traffickers with power, due to the belief that the influential individual would never commit such a crime.”
She added that “enablement by those around the trafficker” is typical because those who witness the trafficking know their “livelihoods depend on the influential individual.”
“This is the exact reason why R. Kelly and Jeffrey Epstein were able to continue trafficking young females for decades, while no one believed their victims,” she said.
An amended lawsuit against Combs, filed by music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones Jr., adds actor Cuba Gooding Jr. to the list of defendants, alleging sexual assault during an incident aboard a yacht rented by Combs in the U.S. Virgin Islands in January 2023. Jones previously accused Combs of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed last month.
According to the complaint, Combs attempted to introduce Jones to Gooding and left them alone in a studio on the yacht, where Gooding allegedly subjected Jones to unwanted touching and groping. The lawsuit also implicates other celebrities, including rapper Caresha “Yung Miami” Brownlee and producer Steven “Stevie J” Jordan, in alleged incidents of sexual assault and misconduct.
The raids of Combs’ homes add another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battle, highlighting the far-reaching implications of power dynamics and accountability in cases of sexual assault and exploitation.
In recent months, civil lawsuits filed by four women have accused Combs of rape, assault and other abuses spanning three decades, with one allegation involving a minor. These claims have sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, threatening Combs’ empire and reputation.
While authorities have remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the case, sources familiar with the investigation indicate that federal authorities have interviewed at least three women. The allegations in the civil lawsuits could provide investigators with a roadmap as they seek to build a criminal case against Combs.
Combs’ legal team has staunchly denied any wrongdoing on his part, emphasizing his innocence and commitment to fighting the allegations.
As the investigation unfolds, all eyes are on the outcome, with the hopes that accountability and justice will be served for the alleged victims. The case against Combs represents a critical moment in addressing alleged sexual abuse and exploitation in the entertainment industry, underscoring the importance of holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions.