The high-profile sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs began this week in New York, drawing intense public scrutiny as jurors heard shocking allegations of coercion, abuse, and the calculated use of power to dominate and control women. While the term “coercive control” is not officially being used in court—due to legal limitations in New York—the disturbing patterns described by witnesses and prosecutors align closely with this form of psychological abuse.
According to USA Today, despite the judge’s decision to bar expert testimony explicitly mentioning “coercive control,” the prosecution is determined to demonstrate how Mr. Combs used his wealth, fame, and influence to exert control over his alleged victims in ways that go far beyond physical violence.
A Pattern of Coercion Hidden Behind Celebrity Glamour
According to RTE, Prosecutor Emily Johnson told jurors that Mr. Combs used violence, threats, and the looming power of his celebrity status to silence and dominate those around him. RTE reports that Ms. Johnson described the case as “not about a celebrity’s private sexual preferences,” but rather about behavior that was “coercive and criminal.”
She also detailed how Combs weaponized threats of reputational ruin to control women he abused for years, ensuring their silence and submission through fear of public humiliation and career destruction.
One of the most disturbing allegations centers around Combs’ former girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura. Prosecutors claim he not only physically abused her but also imposed impossible emotional and psychological demands, isolating and controlling her life behind the scenes of their public relationship.
Video footage presented in court showed Combs chasing Ms. Ventura through hotel hallways in a towel, striking her during the pursuit. RTE reports that a former police officer said when he responded to a distress call that night, Combs attempted to bribe him, allegedly saying, “Don’t tell nobody.”
While the courtroom may not formally use the term, what’s unfolding reflects classic signs of coercive control—a sustained campaign of domination through intimidation, isolation, and control of a victim’s behavior and freedom.
Why ‘Coercive Control’ Isn’t on Trial—But Should Be
As USA Today previously reported, Judge Arun Subramanian ruled earlier this year that while expert testimony about coping strategies for victims is allowed, the specific term “coercive control” cannot be introduced in court. This is largely because New York has yet to adopt legal statutes recognizing coercive control as a distinct form of domestic abuse, despite its widespread psychological impact and its recognition in several other U.S. states, as well as the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia.
Experts like psychologist Lisa Fontes, author of Invisible Chains, argue that Combs’ wealth and influence created an environment ripe for coercion, allowing him to use his status to manipulate and dominate others. Fontes explained that coercive control isn’t always visible through physical violence; it often manifests through isolation, financial manipulation, and relentless emotional abuse—tactics reportedly used by Combs for years.
Defense Strategy: Framing Abuse as ‘Toxic Love’
While prosecutors lay out a case built on patterns of coercion and dominance, Combs’ defense team paints a very different picture. Attorney Teny Geragos described Combs’ past relationships as complicated but consensual, telling jurors the case is about “love, jealousy, and money,” not criminal activity.
Geragos admitted that some of Combs’ behavior amounted to domestic violence but argued that this does not equate to the racketeering and sex trafficking charges he faces. According to RTE, she insisted, “Being a willing participant in your own sex life is not sex trafficking,” dismissing claims that Combs used coercion to force women into unwanted situations.
Yet, critics argue that this defense sidesteps the nuanced reality of coercive control—that abuse isn’t always about force, but about eroding a person’s autonomy through sustained psychological pressure.
A Trial That Could Redefine Power and Accountability
If convicted, Combs faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison. The proceedings, expected to last up to 10 weeks, could set a precedent in how society views the intersection of wealth, power, and abuse.
While the legal system in New York may not formally recognize coercive control as a criminal offense, the testimonies and evidence emerging from this trial offer a stark reminder: coercion doesn’t always leave physical scars, but its psychological wounds can last a lifetime.
As the case continues, survivors and advocates hope it will spark broader conversations about the need to update legal frameworks to include coercive control as a recognized and punishable form of abuse.
For now, the world watches as one of the most influential figures in music faces the consequences of years of alleged abuse hidden behind fame, fortune, and power.
Featured image: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Source: Nikeush / CC by SA 4.0.
