Diddy Trial Update: Cathy sobbing to the stand as her testimony concludes
After the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs in the first week of testimony, time in Cassie’s stand ends following the tragic testimony about Combs’ alleged abuse.
As Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial continues the second week of witness testimony, details of his alleged abuse and violence are both intrusive and horrifying, and photo and video evidence also support them. This week, ju-decides watched a video of the “freak-off” party at the heart of the case. And on May 14th, prosecutors released a full-length version of hotel surveillance video showing him physically attacking Combs’ then-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura Fine.
However, cases of sexual abuse and domestic violence rarely contain portfolios of photo and video evidence. Abuse can appear different in each relationship and is not always visible, like emotional abuse or manipulation.
And while people believe in Cathy, the reaction is not all supportive. There was a pour in sympathy, but there were also many criticisms from the victims. So, if the evidence is not that rich, what will happen to how we respond to Didi’s trial against victims of sexual violence?
The way we respond to trials like Diddy as a community and society influence survivors’ decisions to get help and leave and speak out of an abusive situation, says Elizabeth L. Jeglick, a clinical psychologist specializing in sexual violence and a professor at the University of Criminal Justice in New York City. Sociologist Nicole Bedella also warns that graphic details can be requested to be asked to believe in a recount of victim abuse, or that dangerous bars can be set up for what people think are violent or believed enough to spread sympathy to survivors.
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There is rarely any video or photographic evidence when the victim comes forward
In most cases, there is no video to prove the violence of the abuser. From photos and videos to the testimony of many witnesses, the harsh evidence in favour of Cathy’s testimony is “exceptions, not rules,” Zergik says.
In many cases, many allegations are required to change the views of the public allegedly abused. But Jelgic says there’s no need to get to that point. The details of that graphic can be harmful to some viewers as well.
“If the survivor is still working through trauma, reminding you of situations similar to the trauma you experienced can reinvigorate your PTSD symptoms,” she previously told USA Today.
And Bedella warns that graphics can sensationalize sexual violence and raise bars for what people think are violent enough to retract their celebrity support.
In a study of university sexual assault perpetrators, she found that school officials were less likely to intervene in violence that seemed more common. “They’ll say, ‘He’s not Harvey Weinstein,'” she previously told USA Today.
Abuse can occur in anyone, regardless of personality, behavior or response, and can appear different in each incident or relationship. We often want to believe that we can find perpetrators of abuse – they are all “monsters,” author, research professor and clinical psychologist Shelley Humvey previously told USA Today. But “they don’t have horns that come out of their heads. Many of them are very attractive when they want to be.”
Despite the evidence, “condemn the victim” continues
Even if there is evidence, the victim is still under the judgment of ridiculous laughter. From asking why Cathy didn’t leave early, to conspiring to allegedly abuse of the Comb.
Prior to the trial, Combs’ lawyers said they wanted to show that instead of denying Combs’ violence, they would “clash with both sides.” And online, Ventura Fine’s testimony was fulfilled by denouncement of the victim. This happens when society and individuals take responsibility for the victims of the harm they experience, not the perpetrators.
“All of these can be very discouraging for other survivors in terms of relating what happened to you, but they can also attack you because they don’t fully support people when society moves forward, and that can be really hard for survivors to see,” says Jergic.
According to a 2020 study by the National Domestic Violence Coalition, one in four women and one in ten men experience sexual, physical violence and/or stalking during their training life. As a result, approximately one in five female victims and one in 20 male victims need medical care. The most dangerous period for the safety of the victim is when they leave an abusive relationship. Notifying them of their abusive partner or plan to leave can put the victim at greater risk of murder and violence of their intimate partners.
Sexual violence experts also argue that “mutual abuse” claims are tactics used to avoid liability from perpetrators and to undermine the power imbalances that promote domestic violence, and to further undermine the harmful stereotypes of “complete victims.”
“It’s one person who controls others, strips them of their autonomy and strips them of their independence,” says Bedella. “That’s not something that can be done by one another.”
Responding to Cathy’s testimony is a step in the right direction
It is believed that Cathy is a step in the right direction, but the way we discuss cases is still important.
“I saw it when the #MeToo movement was moving forward, others were supported and believed,” Jeglic said.
The audience is grateful to the survivors who sacrifice sharing stories to keep other women safe,” adds Bedella. “We want this to be a society where you are not where you are trapped, but a society where it’s easy for you to leave. That’s a big part of our broader political debate about the conversations we have right now.”
Self-care is first and for those influenced by Cassie’s testimony and public commentary. If reading about all the details of the trial is painful, you can move away from media-related media. Jelgic also recommends using mindfulness exercises, talking to counselors and friends, and practicing self-care with proper diet and sleep.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the domestic domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text “Start” 88788.
