Thalia Graves, a woman who has accused Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexual assault, publicly shared her story for the first time following the filing of a lawsuit against the music executive. The lawsuit, submitted on Tuesday in a New York federal court, claims that Combs and his former security guard, Joseph Sherman, raped her at the Bad Boy Records studio in Manhattan in 2001.
At the time, Graves was 25 years old and alleges she was given a drink that was possibly drugged, leading her to become unconscious. Upon regaining consciousness, she claims she found herself restrained, and Combs and Sherman then assaulted her. The lawsuit details that she suffered physical violence and was forced to perform a sexual act during the attack, with both men ignoring her pleas for help.
During a press conference in Los Angeles, alongside her attorney Gloria Allred, Graves expressed the profound emotional and physical pain resulting from her assault. She revealed that the trauma has left deep emotional scars, and she was recently made aware that a video of the alleged incident was being distributed as pornography.
Graves is seeking a court order to destroy the video and prevent any further distribution while also requesting unspecified damages. She described the feelings of blame and isolation she has experienced since the attack, stating that, despite Combs’ current legal troubles, the emotional scars remain.
Combs, 54, faces serious charges including federal sex trafficking and racketeering based on allegations dating back to 2009. He has been accused of using his status and power to abuse and manipulate women. Combs was arrested on September 16 and subsequently pleaded not guilty to the charges. A judge recently denied a request for him to await trial under house arrest at his luxurious Miami Beach home.
The indictment suggests that Combs ran a criminal enterprise through his various business ventures, employing violence and coercion to fulfill his sexual desires. During investigations of his properties, authorities reportedly seized items related to his alleged activities, including firearms and personal lubricants intended for illicit use.
In light of these legal issues, a video resurfaced in which Combs joked about the notoriety of his parties, reflecting both on past celebrations and the current scrutiny he faces.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, support is available through the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or by texting 233733.