UltraViolet Reacts to Denial of Bail for Sean “Diddy” Combs

NEW YORK—UltraViolet, a national women-led gender-justice organization that works to create a cost for sexism, released the following statement after disgraced media mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was ordered detained until sentencing in his trial:

“The brave survivors who stepped forward to share their stories in this trial can at least know that their abuser wasn’t allowed to walk free today,” said Arisha Hatch, interim executive director of UltraViolet. “This is a rare silver lining in an otherwise disastrous verdict which failed to fully hold Diddy accountable for using his position of power and fame to exploit young women and men alike. We will continue to stand with the brave women and men who took great risk to reveal the person Diddy really is.”

After an eight-week trial, jurors acquitted Diddy of severe charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking while finding him guilty on one charge of transporting people for prostitution. The jury came to its verdict despite reviewing clear and harrowing evidence of violent coercion and abuse.

“Our criminal justice system failed yet again today. It failed to protect survivors and it failed to hold accountable serial abusers—often wealthy, powerful men like Diddy,” Hatch said. “We are deeply disheartened, but unfortunately not surprised. The legal system is set up in such a way that testifying as a survivor is arduous and emotionally torturous. On top of that, women are routinely not believed in the courtroom. We must continue to fight to build a culture in which women and victims of sexual assault are believed, and where justice is truly brought to fruition so that survivors can heal.”

Since day one, UltraViolet has been a leading voice in the accountability movement for powerful abusers, fighting alongside survivors to achieve victories against Harvey Weinstein, Bill O’Reilly, and Andrew Tate. The organization’s ‘Flowers for Survivors’ campaign launched was launched in June as part of an effort to support all survivors of sexual violence who might have relived their own experiences while following the Diddy trial.

“Today’s verdict makes clear how critical it is to continue the fight against abusers and the companies and institutions that enable them,” Hatch said. “We encourage those interested in joining this movement to sign our pledge to show survivors that you believe them—and that you will fight to end gender-based violence in all of its forms.”

Follow our work on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and LinkedIn.

###