Cassie sued Diddy under an expiring N.Y. law. What’s next for the Adult Survivors Act?
On Tuesday, singer Cassie filed a $30 million lawsuit against the music mogul and her ex-boyfriend Sean “Diddy” Combs over what explosive court documents call a “cycle of abuse, violence, and sex trafficking” that allegedly occurred during their relationship.
Cassie, whose real name is Cassandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit in New York Adult Survivors Acta week before its window closes on November 23. The law gives survivors of sexual assault that occurred when they were 18 or older a one-year window to sue their attackers, regardless of when the assault occurred.
William Rivera, interim CEO of New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assaulttold Yahoo News that this month alone, there has been a huge increase in claims follow-up and awareness under the law.
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“We have this ongoing issue, and there are cases at some well-known higher institutions [and] “The cases against those in several prison institutions that also made waves,” Rivera said.
The lawsuit
The civil lawsuit describes Combs as “prone to uncontrollable rage,” and accuses him of “brutally” beating Ventura on several occasions.
“After years of silence and darkness,” Ventura, 37, said in a video clip. Thursday statement to the New York Times“I’m finally ready to tell my story, and speak up for myself and for other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships.”
Cassie and Sean “Diddy” Combs attend the 2018 Pre-Grammy Party and Grammy Tribute to Industry Icons to Honor Sean “Jay-Z” Carter in Manhattan on January 27, 2018. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)
The lawsuit alleges that Ventura was lured into a relationship with Combs beginning in 2007, and alleges that Combs “frequently punched, hit, kicked, and stomped Ms. Ventura, resulting in bruised, blown-out lips, blackened eyes, and bleeding.”
It also states that Combs “bombed a fellow rapper’s car after learning he was interested in Ventura, forced her to find male escorts online and then have sex with sex workers while under the influence of drugs he provided her, and raped her.” In 2018 after I tried to leave him.”
In a statement to The Times, Combs’ attorney called the allegations “outrageous and baseless lies” and claimed that Ventura is “seeking a payday.”
“Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations. Over the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demands for $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which has been unequivocally dismissed as blatant blackmail.”
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What is the Adult Survivors Act?
In May 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Adult Survivors Act, which created a one-time “one-year review window” that began on November 23, 2022, six months after the act was signed into law.
“For many survivors, it can take years to come to terms with the trauma of sexual assault and feel ready to seek justice against their attacker.” Hochul said At a press conference, “while they may be fearful of retaliation or shame.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signs the Adult Survivors Act in the Red Room at the state Capitol in Albany, New York, on May 24. (Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)
“Allowing a one-year look back is really a way of saying that we understand the unique suffering that victims endure and the unique nature of these cases, and we’re just trying to provide an opportunity for everyone to have their day in court.” Wendy Murphy, a former federal sex crimes prosecutor and professor of sexual violence law at New England Law in Boston, He told Yahoo News in May.
Legislation – similar to the Child Victims Act 2019, Which also created a one-year window For survivors of child sexual abuse to file claims outside the statute of limitations – Defendants who were sexually assaulted, as adults in New York, who were outside the window of the statute of limitations, are given a year to sue their alleged abusers or any negligence. Institutions that protect them such as hospitals, universities or workplaces, Rivera explained. .
“I hope this shows that survivors are not alone, this can happen to anyone at any time in their life and that there is support out there,” Rivera said. “We know that when these high-profile cases happen, there is greater awareness of them. But the conversation needs to happen all the time. I want them to be supported locally and in their communities… uplifted, heard, supported and believed in.”
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What’s next?
After the law expires on November 24, survivors will have to file their claims within the current statute of limitations window.
“That’s how the legislation was written. I wish there was more of an awareness campaign around it and also an element of free legal aid associated with this so that many more could access without incurring financial barriers,” Rivera said.
Governor Kathy Hochul signs the Adult Survivors Act in the Red Room at the state Capitol on May 24, 2022. (Mike Grohl/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)
Rivera says there could be more progress in the future in New York to protect survivors of sexual assault and abuse, but policies must be put in place to ensure crisis programs continue to work.
“Every year we have a political campaign that we’re working on. This year we’re focusing our efforts on advocating and pushing Governor Hochul to fill the gaps with the expected decrease in funding for victim services because it would devastate these crisis programs across New York and those who are most impacted will be our low-income and communities of color.” “
