Sean Comb's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, the woman seen being assaulted by the rapper in a viral surveillance video, has broken her silence, revealing in a statement, "It broke me down."
Her statement went on to thank her support system before she highlighted the stigma surrounding domestic violence.
"Thank you for all of the love and support from my family, friends, strangers and those I have yet to meet," Ventura wrote, according to CNN. "The outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now, but this is only the beginning."
CNN first aired the CCTV video on Friday that showed Combs - wearing only a towel - punching, shoving, kicking and dragging Ventura in a hotel hallway
The video emerged after a recent series of allegations of physical and sexual violence against Combs.
Ventura filed a lawsuit against Combs, 54, last year, alleging years of abuse, and the rapper quickly settled. Over the weekend, CNN published the video that showed Ventura waiting for a hotel elevator when Combs, wearing only a towel, throws her to the ground, kicks her, drags her back toward a room, and throws things at her.
"Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to take this matter seriously. My only ask is that EVERYONE open your heart to believing victims the first time. It takes a lot of heart to tell the truth out of a situation that you were powerless in," Ventura wrote.
"I offer my hand to those that are still living in fear. Reach out to your people, don't cut them off. No one should carry this weight alone. This healing journey is never ending, but this support means everything to me. Thank you. Love Always, Cassie," she wrote.
Combs previously denied Ventura's allegations, but issued an apology after the video came out, claiming he was at "rock bottom" when the hotel assault occurred. He said he was "disgusted" with himself and said he was going to therapy.
-With reporting from TMX.
