UltraViolet on Reports that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Has Been Arrested In Connection to Sexual Abuse and Sex Trafficking Allegations Against Him
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UltraViolet on Reports that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Has Been Arrested In Connection to Sexual Abuse and Sex Trafficking Allegations Against Him
Says Music Industry Must Do More to Dismantle Rape Culture
This morning, it was reported that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was arrested as part of an investigation into sexual assault and sex trafficking claims made in multiple civil lawsuits over the last several months.
In reaction to the announcement, Shaunna Thomas, co-founder and executive director at UltraViolet, a leading national gender justice organization, which had urged the Grammys and the Recording Academy to sever ties with Combs following the multiple accusations against him, issued the following statement:
“It took the courage of survivors, and specifically Cassie, to hold Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accountable and remind us all that rape culture remains alive and well within the music industry.
“Because of Cassie, and the multiple other courageous women who came forward to tell their stories, we all now know the real Sean Combs. His brand deals have collapsed, fellow artists have distanced themselves from him and called for accountability, and even though he was nominated for a Grammy Award this year, he didn’t show up because he knew he would not be welcome there.
“While justice for the women that Combs abused will be defined by them and them alone – UltraViolet will continue its conversations with the Recording Academy to take the necessary steps to promote the creation of safe workplaces across the music industry.
“By holding abusers within the industry accountable, enforcing the law where it applies, and taking the important steps to protect workers and artists – the industry can model the structural changes all cultural institutions need to make to dismantle rape culture once and for all.”
More than 15,000 people signed a petition organized by UltraViolet calling on the Recording Academy to rescind Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ invitation to the 66th annual Grammy Awards, ban him from future Grammy Award shows, and revoke his membership in the Recording Academy.
You can view the petition here: https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/NoDiddyAtGrammys/
UltraViolet has a long-running connection addressing sexual violence in the music industry.
- In 2014, pop singer Kesha came forward to accuse music producer Dr. Luke of sexual assault. After the allegations were made public, UltraViolet hosted petitions, organized protests, and publicly advocated for Sony Music to “Free Kesha” from her relationship with her alleged abuser.
- In 2018, following Spotify’s decision to remove R. Kelly and other infamous abusers from its official playlists, UltraViolet penned an open letter to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek applauding the company’s decision, but urging Ek to look deeper at other artists with a history of sexual and physical abuse that continued to profit from Spotify’s promotion.
- One year later, tens of thousands of people signed UltraViolet’s petition, echoing calls of the #MuteRKelly campaign, urging RCA Records to drop Kelly. UltraViolet also commissioned a plane banner to fly over Sony Music’s HQs in Los Angeles, demanding RCA Records to sever ties with R Kelly and took part in the “#MuteRKelly Rally to Protect Black Girls” at Sony Music HQ’s in New York City.
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