As Sean “Diddy” Combs faces sentencing following his July conviction on two federal charges of transporting individuals for prostitution, the trial’s impact goes beyond one celebrity. Central to the proceedings was the testimony of singer Cassie Ventura, whose account of years of abuse highlighted how power and fame can be weaponized to control and silence.
A timeline of the rise of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and his legal troubles
Kamila A. Alexander, PhD, MPH, RN, associate professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and a leading expert on gender-based violence, shares five key takeaways that tell us why this sentencing isn’t just about one man’s downfall. It reveals how coercive control operates in relationships marked by wealth and influence, why survivors—especially Black women—often struggle to be believed, and what this moment signals for justice and public health.
“Abuse isn’t only bruises. It’s control — isolating, monitoring, threatening, and trapping someone using power or money.”
Kamila Alexander, PhD, MPH, RN
5 Lessons on Coercive Control and Abuse from Dr. Kamila Alexander
Coercive control is more than physical violence.
Abuse isn’t just about bruises or physical assaults. It can look like being isolated from friends and family, controlled financially, watched constantly, or threatened. When someone has wealth and fame, it can become even more acute. Celebrities can use their influence to keep partners trapped, making it much harder for survivors to leave or for their voices to be taken seriously.
People often don’t believe survivors—especially when they’re Black women.
Black women are more likely to face skepticism when they report sexual or partner violence, whether in the courtroom or in healthcare. That credibility gap means even survivors as visible as Cassie Ventura can have their stories questioned, no matter how powerful their testimony.
Gender-based violence is a public health crisis.
Survivors of intimate partner violence face higher risks of depression, PTSD, chronic illness, and even premature death. The CDC estimates that one in three women will experience this kind of violence in their lifetime. A sentencing like this sends a cultural message about how seriously we treat those health and safety consequences.
Power protects perpetrators and silences survivors.
Many survivors stay silent because they fear retaliation, losing their careers, or simply don’t think anyone will believe them. In cases involving celebrities, money and influence can create an extra shield of protection for abusers. Justice in sentencing must reflect the realities of coercive control — both to deliver fairness for the victim and to show all survivors that their truth carries weight in the justice system.
Systemic accountability matters.
Whether Diddy is sentenced to two years or ten, the decision carries broader implications for how the justice system responds to survivors. For many watching, the outcome will signal whether their experiences truly matter and may shape whether they feel encouraged to speak up or remain silent.
“Justice in sentencing must reflect the realities of coercive control, or survivors will see that their voices still don’t matter.”
Kamila A. Alexander, PhD, MPH, RN
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
SYDNEE LOGAN
Sydnee Logan, MA is Brand and Public Relations Manager at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She shares nurse and community stories with the world.