P. Diddy faces third lawsuit for physical assault, sex trafficking, and revenge porn
Two more women have come forward following a settled agreement with ex-girlfriend Cassie last week
WARNING: This article includes accounts and imagery of sexual and domestic violence and may be distressing for some readers. Resources for support are listed at the end of this article
P. Diddy is currently facing two additional lawsuits following a settlement with his ex-girlfriend Cassie, who accused the rapper of physical abuse, rape, and sex trafficking in a major lawsuit earlier this month.
Two more women have come forward since the allegations, accusing the rapper of rape, sex trafficking, battery, and revenge porn, amongst other claims.
Both women filed lawsuits under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, each alleging incidents that took place individually in the early 1990s.
One of the women, Joi Dickerson-Neal, has accused Diddy (real name Sean Combs) of creating and disseminating revenge porn, physical assault and battery, sex trafficking, and gender-motivated violence, as well as intentional infliction of emotional distress.
In the lawsuit, filed on Thursday at New York’s Supreme Court, Dickerson-Neal accused Combs of drugging and raping her in 1991 while she was studying at Syracuse University, aged 19.
She claimed that she “reluctantly” agreed to a date with Combs in Harlem where he then took her to a location and secretly filmed himself sexually assaulting her. She also claimed that the footage of the attack was distributed by Combs without consent.
According to the lawsuit, Dickerson-Neal was hospitalised for severe depression and suicide ideation and was left with “overwhelming feelings of humiliation, embarrassment, and violation” (via Pitchfork).
The third woman to come forward to accuse Combs, currently identified as Jane Doe, claims that she was coerced into having sex with the rapper. In the lawsuit seen by AP News, Jane Doe alleges that she was then forced to have sex with a friend of Combs, R&B singer Aaron Hall, assaulting both her and a friend.
The suit also claims that Combs visited both women’s homes days later to discourage them from reporting the incident, and choked one of the women until she passed out.
Combs has denied all claims against him. A spokesperson for the rapper said in a statement to People that the allegations are “fabricated claims falsely alleging misconduct from over 30 years ago and filed at the last minute.”
“This is nothing but a money grab,” they claimed. “Because of Mr. Combs’ fame and success, he is an easy target for anonymous accusers who lie without conscience or consequence for financial benefit.”
The New York’s Adult Survivors Act is legislation that allows alleged victims of sexual offenses to file lawsuits for which the statute of limitations had lapsed during a one year period between November 24, 2022, to November 24 this year. More than 3,700 legal claims have been filed prior to the expiry of the legislation, with a number of high profile musicians among the accused, including Jamie Foxx, Steven Tyler and Axl Rose.
The UK's 24-hour free-to-call National Domestic Abuse Helpline can be contacted by dialling 0808 2000 247
The US' 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline can be contacted by dialling 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)
AFEM sponsor a confidential support service for anyone affected by sexual harassment within the Electronic Music Industry. Health Assured provide the service to ensure confidential expert counselling a safe and supportive environment for anyone who has been affected and needs guidance and support. Call 0800 030 5182, (Outside the UK: +44 800 030 5182) where trained experts will listen and support
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter