I work with sex trafficking victims. Here's how Diddy's trial could help them.
I work with sex trafficking victims. Here's how Diddy's trial could help them. | Opinion As the public watches Diddy's trial unfold, another audience will be, too: Current victims of human trafficking who don't yet recognize their own exploitation.
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Diddy news: Prosecutors add new charges to criminal case in indictment
Embattled music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was hit with two additional sex crimes charges ahead of his May trial in New York City.
This column discusses sex trafficking. If you or someone you know is in danger or in an unsafe situation, the National Human Trafficking Hotline can help. Advocates are available 24/7 by calling 1-888-373-7888 or texting 233733.
With Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial for sex trafficking charges now underway, the public will be exposed to a rare, high-profile human trafficking case. But beyond the spectacle, there's an invisible audience paying close attention: current victims of human trafficking who don't yet recognize their own exploitation.
At Restore NYC, an anti-trafficking organization serving thousands of survivors across the United States, cases like Combs' often raise the same question from our community: If they weren't locked in a basement or chained to a bed, why didn't they just leave?
The answer to that question often varies across cases. Sometimes victims don't report their trafficker due to a fear of deportation. Others are tethered to their trafficker by housing instability, abusive relationships or lack of income. But a surprising number of victims stay in these situations because they simply don't know they're being trafficked.
How can this happen?
Movies, TV romanticize sex trafficking – and get it wrong
Movies and TV shows tend to present two extremes for sex trafficking: an unsuspecting (usually white) woman kidnapped by a violent trafficker and rescued by Liam Neeson, or a romanticized, glamourous depiction of a (usually white) woman's life in the commercial sex trade that in many cases would also meet the legal definition for sex trafficking.
Both narratives create an unrealistic expectation of what trafficking 'should' look like. When victims don't see their own experiences reflected in these narratives, it becomes more difficult to reach out for support.
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These portrayals flatten the complex realities of trafficking victims into the helpless damsel or the empowered seductress.
In doing so, they erase the experience of millions of victims, especially women of color, who don't fit neatly into these buckets.
The sensationalizing of trafficking in media through high-drama abduction scenarios also distracts from the slow-burn exploitation. It often looks like economic coercion, emotional manipulation or grooming. It happens in broad daylight, in cities like ours, with men in power preying on women's vulnerabilities.
When inaccurate media representations become our cultural standard for human trafficking, real victims will continue to go unseen and even blamed for their own exploitation.
With Black and Latina women making up 88% of trafficking survivors at Restore, it's increasingly important we bring their stories to life in more accurate and nuanced ways.
Opinion: A sex trafficking survivor nearly died trying to get out. Here's what she wants others to know.
Traffickers exploit disconnect between real life and pop culture
'I've worked with victims that initially didn't understand they were being trafficked – they just thought this is what they had to do in order to hustle and get ahead,' said Lenore Schaffer, Restore's chief program officer. 'Victims will sometimes have an entire lifetime of being conditioned to normalize the objectification of their bodies. Traffickers know how to capitalize on this.'
Opinion: Sean 'Diddy' Combs goes by many names. After Cassie video, add 'abuser' to the list.
Decades of pop culture have blurred the line between empowerment and exploitation. Three 6 Mafia's 'It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp' won an Oscar for their lyrical portrayal of pimping as a gritty but noble hustle instead of a system of exploitation. 'The Salty Pimp' continues to be one of Big Gay Ice Cream Shop's top selling flavors, despite backlash for a name that shrugs at the reality of sexual exploitation.
This casual normalization helps traffickers remain invisible and victims unaware of their exploitation. When pimps are turned into popular Halloween costumes, their real-life violence is often misunderstood.
The disconnect between lived experience and public narrative is one traffickers exploit – and it keeps survivors from identifying what's happening to them.
'A survivor I worked with once stayed with her trafficker for years because he introduced her to industry contacts and presented her with lavish gifts. Even though she recognized this was sexual exploitation, in her eyes, it wasn't trafficking because she felt it was a mutually beneficial relationship,' said Schaffer.
As the public watches the Combs case unfold, it's crucial we resist the urge to fit victims into familiar molds. This moment marks an opportunity for reflection on how our collective culture, media and language can downplay violence against women.
Let's ensure the real experiences of trafficking survivors, especially women of color, are not erased in favor of spectacle.
Beck Sullivan, a licensed clinical social worker, is the CEO of Restore NYC, where she has led nationally recognized programs that earned the 2024 Presidential Award for Extraordinary Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons. She has more than 16 years of experience in the anti-trafficking field, including prior roles at the Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition and as cofounder of the Valley Against Sex Trafficking (VAST).
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Washington Post
19 minutes ago
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Jury sees more sex videos as prosecutors wind down case against Sean 'Diddy' Combs
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USA Today
39 minutes ago
- USA Today
P Diddy trial live updates: Jury sees Combs' messages about baby oil, Cialis, cash
This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Attorneys for Sean "Diddy" Combs are gearing up to take the lead in his criminal trial as prosecutors wind down their initial round of arguments. The embattled hip-hop mogul returned to Manhattan court on June 23 for the latest installment in his sweeping federal sex-crimes case. Homeland Security agent Joseph Cerciello continued his testimony from last week, with the jury seeing an extensive paper trail of hotel bills, flight details and other purchases. Most of the costs were for Combs' ex-girlfriend, identified under the pseudonym Jane, and male escorts. The jury also saw explicit videos of Jane with an escort, with Combs appearing in some of the footage as well. Jurors last heard from Combs' former assistant Brendan Paul, who took the stand June 20. The 26-year-old alleged "drug mule" testified about his 2024 arrest as well as his demanding job, which consisted of working long hours and procuring ketamine and ecstasy for Combs' "personal use." He also denied witnessing criminal activity at the mogul's "king nights," another name for Combs' "freak off" sex parties. Combs, 55, was arrested in September and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Texts from Jane, Diddy show employee involvement in setting up 'freak offs,' drug use Prosecutors continued to paint a picture of Combs and his employees being personally involved with organizing "freak offs," including those in New York, Miami and Los Angeles. That included making travel arrangements for Jane and for male escorts and entertainers. "I'm so horny I need you," Jane Doe said in one text to Sly Williams. She also talked to him about booking flights and other travel arrangements. During their communication, Combs was messaging a travel aide Jessica Ruiz about getting Williams across the country, making the plans and arranging things between the sex worker and Jane. "Hey hun, I think I'm having a bad comedown. Want to make sure that Sean's OK," Jane texted Kristina "KK" Khorram, who said Combs was fine and suggested medications Jane could take to feel better. Williams texted Jane saying he would be in Los Angeles for some time. Combs also sent a person named Frank Rodriguez about drugs, including MDMA. Baby oil, Cialis: Diddy demands laundry list of supplies for 'freak off' As prosecution wrapped up their direct examination of Cerciello, jurors saw and heard messages from Combs demanding supplies for an alleged 'freak off.' 'There's no more baby oil,' Combs said in one audio message to his his then-chief of staff Kristina "KK" Khorram, chuckling. 'I can't believe I'm out of baby oil.' He thought he had 20 bottles at the time. In a separate message to Khorram Combs said he needed 'five more bottles of everything.' Later, his team responded that they were bringing him baby oil, lubricant from the brand Astroglide, his Apple TV and multiple lattes. Combs continued to send audio messages, one asking for vegetable soup, and another saying, 'Can security bring me some money? I need $5,000.' In another he asked his team to add on, 'anything else you think I could conceivably need.' In yet another message he asked for 'a Cialis, please,' joking 'See? I'm going to keep on calling you to make sure you have everything I need.' Cialis is a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. 'Debauchery at 9 o'clock?' Jurors saw additional receipts from the payment platform Cash App for escorts and hotel charges for damages. They also heard an audio message from Combs to Jane in which he asked: 'Debauchery at 9 o'clock? It's a yes or no answer. Thumbs up or thumbs down.' Jane texted back, 'It's a thumbs up,' before appearing to ask him for money for new clothes. Combs sent another audio message saying, 'I'll put some money in your account.' Prosecutors plans to rest their case As the morning drew to a close, prosecutors were expected to continue direct questioning for another hour or two. Combs' lawyers are expected are expected to continue their cross-examination into Tuesday morning. The government then plans to rest their case midday Tuesday, handing it over to the defense team to make their argument. Jury sees 'explicit' footage of Jane, Diddy and sex worker As Cerciello continued his testimony on June 23, the jury was shown several videos of Combs' ex-girlfriend who has been identified as Jane Doe. Lead prosecutor Maurene Comey called the videos "explicit" several times. The jury watched the footage for about 20 minutes while wearing headphones. The monitors that had been shown to the courtroom gallery were turned off, and reporters could not see the videos. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges. Cerciello said all the videos featured Jane and sex worker Sly Williams. Combs was also seen in some of the footage. The agent mainly looked up and around the courtroom gallery rather than at his screen while the videos played. Prosecutors show payments to male escort company employee, texts from Diddy about Plan B Prosecutors quizzed Cerciello on hotel bills, flight details and car service receipts, as well as airport concierge, valet and travel agent fees. The expenses were all allegedly for Jane and a sex worker known as Cabral. In one text message, shown to jurors, Combs texted Khorram, "Can you get Jane here tomorrow?" In another exchange, Khorram told Combs that there was the emergency contraceptive known as Plan B in his room, and he replied, "Do you think the other girl really wants to come?" Khorram wrote back that the unidentified woman sounded excited. Digging further into the paper trail, jurors saw Venmo and Zelle payments from Jane to a woman named Bridget, who worked at a male escort company called Cowboys for Angels. The court also heard about text messages they had seen earlier in the trial in which Jane said she didn't want to be "used" to "fulfill" Combs' "fantasies." Have Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio come up in Diddy's trial? You may have seen major celebs like Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio named during Combs' trial. But the A-list actors aren't accused of anything − they've only been mentioned in the background of events Combs attended. 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Both Combs and his team later claimed he was a billionaire, Forbes said, despite offering no documentation to back up the claim. According to publicly available documents and news reports, Combs' most valuable personal possession is likely his 17,000-square-foot, 10-bedroom mansion, appraised at more than $61 million, in the tony Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles. It was raided as part of a criminal probe and listed for sale last September. Brendan Paul denies being a drug mule, details arrest on jet with Diddy and Kristina Khorram "You were not some drug mule, am I right?" Brian Steel, a defense lawyer for Combs, asked during cross-examination on June 20, to which Paul responded: "Absolutely not." Asked by Steel what he understood a drug mule to be, Paul said: "Someone who traffics kilos and kilos across the world." Paul's employment ended in March 2024, he testified. He was on a private jet with Khorram and Combs headed for the Bahamas, when he got arrested for cocaine possession. The cocaine was for Combs. On the stand, Paul said the cocaine found were just drugs he had forgotten in his bag when he went to the airport, clarifying that neither Khorram nor Combs had requested them that day. The total amount was 0.7 grams, he added, which Steel characterized as for "personal use as best." U.S. Attorney Christy Slavic asked Paul during his testimony why he didn't tell law enforcement that the cocaine belonged to Combs. He responded simply, saying, "Loyalty." Discover WITNESS: Access our exclusive collection of true crime stories, podcasts, videos and more Former Diddy assistant Brendan Paul describes working for music mogul As Combs' personal assistant, Paul said his duties included making the music mogul's meal plans, coordinating workouts, packing "a lot of joints" and making sure he was on time for things like flights. Paul added during his June 20 testimony that he usually worked between 80 and 100 hours a week but was always on call. He started at $76,000 a year, but by the time his employment was over, he was making $100,000 a year, the man told jurors. Asked about procuring drugs for Combs, Paul said he did it more than five times but less than 10. He observed Combs doing cocaine, ketamine, marijuana and ecstasy, but not all that often, he said, and verified that he had arranged and cleaned up after "hotel nights" but only a few times. Is Diddy in jail? The disgraced music mogul is in custody, and, despite repeated attempts at bail, has remained confined to the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. He has been in jail since his arrest on Sept. 16, 2024. Why was baby oil found at Diddy's home? During a September 2024 press conference, U.S. attorney Damian Williams detailed the paraphernalia discovered during the federal raids of Combs' homes. The items included multiple AR-15 guns, large-capacity magazines, "evidence" of Combs' alleged sex crimes and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant. According to Combs' original indictment, the baby oil bottles were used during the hip-hop mogul's alleged "freak off" parties, which were described as "elaborate and produced sex performances" that involved sex workers. Combs and his employees conducted freak offs by booking hotel rooms and stocking them with supplies such as baby oil, lube, extra bedsheets and lighting, per the indictment. The rapper allegedly "arranged, directed" and "masturbated" during these sometimes dayslong "performances," and drugs were reportedly distributed to victims, in part, to keep them "obedient and compliant." What is Diddy charged with? Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling case that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and later charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to the five counts against him. What is a RICO? Racketeering meaning Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have on video. How to stream the Diddy trial The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Sign up for our newsletter for more updates. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (4673) and and en Español If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
Yahoo
an hour ago
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Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial updates: SDNY to rest Tuesday; defense not calling witnesses
This story may contain accounts and descriptions of actual or alleged events that some readers may find disturbing. This is week seven of testimony in the trial of Sean "Diddy" 23, 12:51 PMJury reviews Combs' alleged texts about escorts, 'freak-offs' Through a combination of text messages, travel records, hotel receipts and other records, the prosecution showed the jury what they argue were the logistics involved in the alleged arrangements made for male escorts for Sean Combs to participate in sexual encounters.'Hey in NYC have entertainment for after midnight?' Combs wrote in a text message to a woman at a male escort service.'Will be there in ten mins with the cash,' one of Combs' bodyguards wrote in a message to 'Jane,' a former Combs girlfriend who testified under a pseudonym. "Jane" messaged back: 'OK great. Room 508. Do you have a key?' The jury was shown invoices from hotels where prosecutors said the alleged sexual encounters occurred. The jury saw one bill for $2,490.17 from the Trump International Hotel from a stay there in September one audio message, Combs allegedly said, 'There's no more baby oil.'The jury was shown records from 'Jane's' travel, including a car service and a Jet Blue flight arranged by a woman who handled travel for jury also was shown messages about IV fluids Combs and 'Jane' received to help them recover from the sexual encounters. 'Extra Benadryl,' Combs' former assistant, Brendan Paul, said in a text message. The IV drip also included sodium chloride, B12, zinc, vitamin C and amino acids, according to the messages presented by jury also saw a text to Combs from his then-chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, from September 2023. 'Next time you leave when you're randomly partying you have to tell us. Can't just uber lit with a guest. That's when bad s--- happens. You know this,' the message said. 'Puff, seriously that is reckless.'Combs responded in part, 'I love you to death, but you have to stop.'Federal prosecutors said they were able to identify more than 40 arranged sexual encounters with male escorts -- referred to at various times during testimony as 'freak-offs,' 'hotel nights' or 'wild king nights,' depending on the witness -- that allegedly took place between 2021 and 2024, including one prosecutors say happened just weeks before Combs' arrest in September 2024. Combs has maintained that all encounters were consensual. Jun 23, 10:15 AMSean Combs likely won't testify in his own defense Given that the defense said this morning that it will rest its case without calling witnesses, that likely implies that Sean Combs will not testify in his own is likely that Judge Arun Subramanian will ask Combs at some point to formally confirm the jury at Combs' trial is now seeing sexually explicit videos depicting him, his former girlfriend who testified under the pseudonym 'Jane,' and a male Security Investigations Special Agent Joseph Cerciello, a summary witness for the government, testified that he reviewed 'multiple hours' of explicit videosFederal prosecutors said they were able to identify more than 40 arranged sexual encounters with male escorts -- referred to at various times during testimony as 'freak-offs,' 'hotel nights' or 'wild king nights,' depending on the witness -- that allegedly took place between 2021 and 2024, including one prosecutors say happened just weeks before Combs' arrest in September 2024. Combs has maintained that all encounters were consensual. The jury was shown video excerpts along with travel records, hotel invoices and money transfers collected during the investigation. Federal prosecutors are hoping to convince jurors that the sexual acts depicted in the videos were the result of alleged coordinated criminal activity by Combs, his chief of staff, his assistants, his travel manager, his finance people and his bodyguards, all of which Combs has denied. Jun 23, 9:16 AMProsecution expects to rest Tuesday; defense not calling witnesses Federal prosecutors said Monday that they now expect to rest their case on Tuesday once special agent Joseph Cerciello of Homeland Security Investigations concludes his defense said it plans to rest without calling any witnesses, only submitting some the revised schedule, the judge will hold a charging conference Wednesday followed by summations on Thursday. Jun 23, 8:39 AMProsecution expected to rest their case today Federal prosecutors in New York expect to rest their case against Sean "Diddy" Combs today, relying on the testimony of nearly three dozen witnesses and hundreds of exhibits to try to prove their contention that the hip-hop impresario ran a criminal conspiracy that trafficked women and transported final witness for the prosecution, Joseph Cerciello of Homeland Security Investigations, walked the jury through reams of travel records, hotel invoices and money transfers that prosecutors hope will convince the jury that Combs and his associates trafficked his ex-girlfriend, who testified earlier under the pseudonym 'Jane.'Combs' former assistant, Brendan Paul, who was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony, previously told the jury that he bought and carried drugs for Combs. Paul was arrested in March 2024 for cocaine possession while aboard a private plane with Combs.'Was the cocaine yours, Mr. Paul?' prosecutor Christy Slavik asked.'No,' Paul testified in response.'Whose cocaine was it?' Slavik followed up.'Mr. Combs,' Paul drug charges against Paul were dropped last year after he completed a pre-trial intervention criminal enterprise Combs is accused of operating committed drug offenses, according to federal prosecutors. Combs has conceded that he used illicit drugs but has denied running a criminal enterprise. He has pleaded not guilty to all of the government's also told the jury that Combs wanted his assistants to 'move like SEAL Team Six' and anticipate his every need. He testified that it was part of his job to buy a pound of marijuana every two months and to procure a powdery mix of ketamine and molly, known as tusi, that was 'dyed pink for the aesthetic.'Paul further testified that he set up hotel rooms for so-called "freak-off" sexual encounters, which he knew as 'wild king nights,' stocking items like lubricant and baby oil. The jury saw photos of the items arranged in Combs' Los Angeles cross-examination, Paul testified that he never noticed 'Jane' being hesitant or apprehensive about participating in what she called 'hotel night' sexual prosecutors rest their case, defense attorneys have said their case will likely take a day or two to present. Jun 23, 5:05 AMRead updates from week 6 Click here to catch up on everything from the sixth week of the Sean Combs trial. Click here to read the rest of the blog.
