Brenna Cooper
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Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual harassment and domestic violence which some readers may find distressing
Here is everything which Cassie has revealed about 'freak off' parties held by former partner Sean 'Diddy' Combs as she gave evidence at his trial.
The trial of Combs is currently ongoing at a New York federal court, with a heavily pregnant Ventura, his former partner of 11 years, giving her testimony yesterday (13 May). Combs faces charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution — which he denies.
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Ventura's testimony hinged heavily on a 2016 CCTV video in which Combs could be seen physically assaulting her in a hotel corridor, as well as her involvement in his infamous 'freak off' parties.
Here is everything which she has said about the gatherings.
According to the 14-page indictment against Combs, the hip-hop producer's alleged 'freak off' parties were 'elaborate and produced sex performances' which Combs 'arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded'.
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"Freak Offs occurred regularly, sometimes lasted multiple days, and often involved multiple commercial sex workers," the indictment read.
During Ventura's testimony, the 38-year-old revealed that Combs broached the idea of 'freak off' parties during 'the first year of our relationship'.
"This sexual encounter that he called voyeurism where he would watch me be in intercourse with a third party, specifically with another man," she told the court.
She added that 'freak offs' would involve 'hiring an escort and setting up this experience, so that I could perform for Sean'.
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Ventura provided details about her and Combs 11-year-long relationship, revealing that she'd been introduced to the rapper and hip-hop producer in 2005 when she was 19 and he was 37.
Recalling the early days of their relationship, she said (via NBC News): "I was confused, I was a new artist that didn't know the lay of the land and things like that. I wasn’t used to an executive or anyone being that forward that way with me, in a more than friends way, a sexual way, a romantic way.
"I was just so young and did not have the vocabulary for some of the things we talked about. I was just trying to understand it, just completely inexperienced at that point."
Ventura went on to claim the 'freak offs' eventually became a 'job' where she had 'no space to do anything else'.
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"Eventually it became a job for me, pretty much, so I knew if it was something he wanted me to do, I had the contacts to set it up and get a hotel room and all of that, but in the beginning, Sean set it up. He was in charge," she told the court.
Ventura continued: "The 'freak offs' became a job, where there was no space to do anything else but to recover and just try to feel normal again."
The singer and dancer also alleged that 'freak offs' could sometimes go on for days at a time, with the rapper allegedly providing her with a mix of ecstasy and cocaine in order to stay awake.
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Detailing her experience of the parties, Ventura told the court: "Staying out for days on end, taking drugs and drinking, having sex with a stranger, they would be 36, 48, 72, hours.
"The longest one was four days, even more on and off including recovering, recovering from the drugs, dehydration."
Ventura also broke down in tears when asked if there was anything she enjoyed about the 'freak offs', telling the court: "The time spent with him.
"I felt disgusting. I was humiliated. I didn’t have the words to put together at the time how horrible I really felt, and I couldn’t talk to anybody about it."
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence to the national domestic violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247, available 24/7, or via live chat, available 10am-10pm, Monday to Friday.
Alternatively, if you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.