Nicole Brown Simpson's Sister Denise Reacts to 2016 Video of Diddy Assaulting Cassie: 'It's a Shame' (Exclusive)

"It happened to Nicole. It happened to Cassie. It can happen to anyone," the Nicole Brown Foundation co-leader tells PEOPLE

Denise Brown, Rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Cassie Ventura
Denise Brown; Sean "Diddy" Combs; Casandra "Cassie" Ventura. Photo:

Virginia Sherwood/NBC NewsWire, Scott Dudelson/Getty, Nicholas Hunt/Getty

Denise Brown, sister of the late Nicole Brown Simpson, is speaking out after a 2016 surveillance video was released of Sean 'Diddy' Combs shoving and kicking his ex-girlfriend, Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura, in a hotel.

"It’s a shame things have to get to such extremes before we start talking about it AGAIN. Sadly, it occurs every day and does not discriminate," Denise — whose sister, Nicole, was murdered in 1994 and found dead in the California home she shared with late ex-husband O.J. Simpson — tells PEOPLE in a statement.

"It happened to Nicole. It happened to Cassie. It can happen to anyone," adds the Nicole Brown Foundation co-leader, referring to the abuse Nicole faced before her death.. "It’s about power and control of one human being over another."

O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson during Premiere of "When Harry Met Sally" at Academy Theater in Los Angeles, California, United States.
Nicole Brown Simpson.

Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

During the late O.J.'s infamous trial regarding his role in the murders of Nicole and her friend Ronald Goodman, Denise memorably took the stand to describe the alleged domestic abuse her sister faced at the hands of the former NFL pro.

On May 17, a video was released by CNN of Combs, 54, assaulting Ventura, 37, in an incident extremely similar to one described by the "Me & U" singer in her November 2023 lawsuit that was settled shortly after its filing.

Two days later, the music mogul shared a statement via an Instagram video, captioned with the words: "I'm truly sorry."

Sean Combs and Cassie attend the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Cassie in New York City in May 2018.

Kevin Mazur/MG18/Getty

"It's so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life," Combs said in the footage. "Sometimes you gotta do that. I was f---ed up. I mean I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable."

He continued, "I take full responsibility for my actions in that video."

"Disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it, I'm disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help, going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I'm so sorry, but I'm committed to be a better man. Each and every day," Combs added.

Cassie Ventura and Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs pose ringside at "Mayweather VS Pacquiao" on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Cassie and Sean 'Diddy' Combs in Las Vegas in May 2015.

Ethan Miller/Getty

The music mogul then concluded his statement by stating that he is "not asking for forgiveness" and was "truly sorry."

A representative for Combs did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Ventura's attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, said in a statement previously obtained by PEOPLE that the video confirms her allegations. (Combs' lawyer had previously denied any wrongdoing on his part, both when Ventura filed and when she and the rapper later settled.)

“The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light," Wigdor said in the statement.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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