Millions of people have now seen the horrific assault video flooding social media featuring Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Cassie, and it's raising some serious questions online

For so long, women have been afraid to speak out in Hollywood and farther afield for fear of being labelled as a liar or someone who is ‘over-exaggerating’ and have even feared ending their careers.

When Cassie Ventura went public with her incredibly serious and upsetting claims against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, that’s exactly what happened.

At the time of Ventura’s lawsuit, she said: “After years in silence and darkness, 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.”

Like a play-by-play of so many other cases in the past involving men and women who speak the truth about their experiences with abuse, she was questioned on all fronts of her allegations by the public.

Some celebrity friends of Diddy's even came out in public support of the star amid the original allegations. Actor Tyrese Gibson (in a now deleted post) reached out online and said: “God bless you Diddy if you ever need to call me and just need a listening [ear] I’m here bro.” 

Meanwhile, boxer Floyd Mayweather spoke about the situation on a podcast and said: “Even if that happened to my daughter, I would be hurt, but that’s the choice that my daughter made. 

“So, I don’t wanna kick nobody while they’re down.”

The video

It took a truly horrifying video depicting one serious assault against Cassie at the hands of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs for the public to finally side with the singer and encourage her to continue in her pursuit of justice.

After months of denial of all allegations and claiming his accusers were only looking for a "payday," 54-year-old Combs was left with no choice but to speak out - now that the evidence was in plain sight for all to see.

In the apology video he said: “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that.

“I was f**ked up, I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses. My behaviour on that video is inexcusable.”

He continued: “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I am disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now.”

In response to this video, Ventura’s attorney, Meredith Firetog said in a statement on Sunday: “Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt. 

“When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday. 

“That he was only compelled to ‘apologise’ once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words.”

Now, many people online are pointing to this case as yet another example of women being made out to be liars when they garner enough strength to speak out about abuse.

The fear that it could incite even more silence among past and future abuse victims has encouraged thousands of women and men to stand up online and show support for all of those who feel silenced.

The hashtag #believewomen is trending all over social media, and if there is anything we can learn from this truly devastating case, it's to do just that.