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More victims likely to come forward following Sean Combs’ arrest for trafficking, Northeastern experts say

The rap star was charged for allegedly abusing and threatening people for sex trafficking. Experts say the arrest of the celebrity may empower others to tell their stories.

Sean "Diddy" Combs wearing sunglasses.
Sean “Diddy” Combs was indicted on several federal charges, including sex trafficking. Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP

On Sept. 16, federal law enforcement agents arrested Sean “Diddy” Combs and charged him with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution after a months-long investigation into the musical artist and producer. 

The federal indictment accuses Combs of kidnapping, arson, bribery and assault in order to run a concealed sex trafficking ring. Officials said he forced his victims to engage in days-long sexual performances known as “freak offs.” Combs allegedly would manage and record these acts and threaten, drug or physically harm his victims to get them to comply or keep them quiet after the fact. 

According to the indictment, Combs allegedly ran this ring for over a decade and across several states. 

A team of lawyers working on behalf of alleged victims announced Tuesday that it would be filing more than 100 suits against Combs.

Northeastern experts said these charges are likely just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Combs’ criminal activity and more victims are likely to come forward in light of the recent arrest.

“Seeing someone very famous being held accountable for their actions, maybe survivors that had had horrific acts done to them might feel safe or empowered to also come forward,” said Hayat Bearat, visiting associate professor and interim director of the Domestic Violence Institute at Northeastern University. “The power dynamic now has shifted a bit and those individuals aren’t able to just get away with this.”

The federal indictment claimed that Combs “as the leader of a multi-faceted business empire” used his business employees to carry out these criminal activities, including having them arrange the travel and stock hotel rooms for the “freak offs.”

This, along with the extensive nature of the crime, indicates there may be more people implicated in this, said Carlos Cuevas, professor of criminology and criminal justice at Northeastern University.

“This is not a one-person operation,” Cuevas said. “He’s going to have other people around him that are going to help facilitate this. I’m curious to see who else comes to the forefront in terms of individuals who may also be charged. There’s going to be a lot of attention around who participated in these parties.”

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