American rapper, producer and actor Sean John Combs, known popularly as Puff Daddy or P Diddy is in the news again after being served with a multimillion-dollar lawsuit by a music producer.

Not Diddy’s first sexual assault case

This recent case brought against P Diddy is not the first, in fact in 2023 the musician was accused by his RNB musician and model ex-wife. Casandra Elizabeth Ventura, known by her stage name Cassie filed a lawsuit against her ex-husband Diddy accusing him of physical and sexual violence throughout the course of their marriage. Cassie and Diddy met when the rnb singer was only 19, and according to the lawsuit Diddy began to show signs of abuse and control very quickly after the beginning of their relationship.

Cassie had been quiet about her experiences for a very long time but finally decided she was ready to speak up. “I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships.” said the singer. P Diddy denied all allegations and his lawyer Benjamin Braafman stated that Cassie had been demanding a sum of $30 million from her ex-husband.

The case by Cassie against her ex-husband P Diddy reached a settlement the day after it was filed and Benjamin Braafman released a statement saying the settlement was not an admission of guilt on P Diddy’s part.

Besides Cassie, there are three other known cases filed by women against the rapper and producer. Liza Gardemer and Joie Dickerson-Neal filed lawsuits against P Diddy also claiming they were sexually assaulted by him. Following Cassie’s lawsuit, two other women, Liza Gardner and Joie Dickerson-Neal, have alleged in lawsuits that Combs sexually assaulted them. An Unidentified Jane Doe also accused P Diddy of gang-raping her when she was only 17.

P Diddy Sued by music producer

P Diddy is currently facing yet another sexual misconduct suit after a former employee claims he was groped by the music mogul. The rapper Lil Rod – whose real name is Rodney Jones, recently claimed that he was groped by P Diddy and he’s suing for $30 million dollars. The New York Times reports that Lil Rod also accused Diddy of drugging and threatening him in addition to inappropriate sexual conduct. P Diddy is also reported to have allegedly made Lil Rod find sex workers and forced him to perform unwanted sexual acts.

Teenage girl allegedly drugged per Diddy’s request

The lawsuit presented against P Diddy by Lil Rod apparently involved screenshots of images from Diddy’s house parties where underage girls were present. It is said that some of these young girls were served alcoholic drinks that were laced with drugs following orders from P Diddy himself.

Diddy Denies Allegations again

P Diddy’s current lawyer, Shawn Holley, has stated that the allegations set against music mogul Diddy are not only completely false but are in fact Lil Rod’s attempt to get attention and financial game. The representative also said that they have irrefutable proof that all allegations are false.

“We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies. Our attempts to share this proof with Mr. Jones’ attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, have been ignored, as Mr. Blackburn refuses to return our calls,” the attorney, Shawn Holley, said in a statement. “We will address these outlandish allegations in court and take all appropriate action against those who make them.”

Sexual assault cases mount against powerful men

While we may never know all the facts of the cases against P Diddy, the number of allegations is enough to start reconsidering the ways in which rape culture plays out, especially in the entertainment business. P Diddy is one of countless powerful men who have been accused of sexual misconduct or assault.

Harvey Weinstein, Vin Diesel, Russel Brand, Bill Cosby are among a few entertainment industry icons who have been in the news for sexual assault cases in the last few years. While some of these case saw convictions, many of them ended in settlements or as losses for the accusers.

As in the cases mentioned above, these lawsuits tend to start with one accusation that brings in a slew of other accusations. Many people wonder about the reasons that alleged victims take so long, even up to decades, to come forward. Not only can these legal processes be emotionally and financially taxing, but the men who are often accused have immeasurable power and influence as a result of money and social standing.

Many South African male celebrities have also been faced with sexual assault cases. Amanda Du Pont recently filed a case against her former partner Jub Jub, real name Molemo Maarohanye where she alleged that she was raped on several occasions by the musician. Jub Jub was arrested and later granted bail at R10 000.

Regardless of how these cases end, the responses accusers face is often reflective of the deeply embedded aspects of rape culture that persist in our society. Like in the case of Weinstein and Bill Cosby, many of these men have supporters, friends and idolisers who are willing to protect them in hopes of gaining favour with these powerful people. Moreover, people who come forward with sexual assault allegations are often painted out to be seeking financial gain or attention.

The socialised understanding that sex is for men to take is part of the problem. we are often taught that men cannot control their eyes or urges and that sex is primarily for the satisfaction of a man – particularly in heterosexual relationships. From a young age, girls are taught to cover themselves up and be modest in order to gain respect or protect themselves from assailants.

The Lil Rod case reveals just how flawed this rhetoric is as it assumes that sexual offenders are men and victims are always women. Moreover, it doesn’t account for instances of sexual assault in places, churches and schools where there are “modest” uniforms and standardised ways of dressing. Although sexual assault cases are most common between men and women, where men are assailants according to a Humbolt University study at least 9% of sexual assaults are experienced by men, and these are only based on reported cases. In South Africa, the percentage reported by South African Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse is 19.4%.

It is still true however that almost 99% of sexual assailants are men which makes it clear that the way in which we raise boys has to be seriously reconsidered. The principles of entitlement and lack of self-control are often drilled into young boys’ minds with phrases like “boys will be boys”. Men are taught to do and take what they want, when they want because it is simply what men do. The time has long come for this way of raising children to end.