‘The View’s Alyssa Farah Griffin Reveals She Was Victim Of Domestic Abuse In A Relationship: “It Happened Once”

In light of the horrifying video that shows Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, The View co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin has opened up about her own experience with domestic violence in a relationship.

Last week, CNN published a hotel surveillance video in which Combs is seen dragging, kicking and shoving Ventura back in 2016. While the rapper previously denied Ventura’s assault allegations, he took to Instagram on Sunday (May 19) to apologize for his actions.

“My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” he said. “I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab.”

He added, “I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to being a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”

On this morning’s episode of The View, Griffin agreed with Ana Navarro that his apology was “lacking.”

“There was no message to young men,” she said. “There was no saying he’s gonna donate his millions to a domestic violence shelter.”

The former White House staffer then addressed those who questioned why Ventura stayed in an abusive relationship with Combs.

“I want to speak to that. I once was a victim of domestic abuse in a prior relationship,” Griffin admitted. “It happened once. I was one of the lucky ones where the power dynamics were in my favor that I could leave, I could walk away, I could remove myself from him.”

She continued, “In the vast majority of cases, that is not the case. They use financial abuse to keep you. They use emotional manipulation. Add to that that this is a multi-millionaire, incredibly powerful, incredibly well-connected person. There’s an entire industry of making money off of him. She had no hope to get away from him.”

Griffin concluded her message by noting that the other people who knew of Combs’ abuse and didn’t speak up need to be “held accountable” too.

Combs, who is also under federal investigation over sex trafficking allegations, can’t be charged for the assault due to the statute of limitations. However, Navarro argued that he should still be prosecuted socially.

“The LAPD might not be able to charge him, but we are able to shun him. And he should be treated like the social leper and criminal he is,” she fumed. “We saw him commit assault. I don’t want to see him in any restaurant. I don’t want to see him at any award show. I’m not gonna buy any brand that he’s associated with … I think this guy should be treated and pay horrible social consequences if the legal ones don’t get him.”

The View airs on weekdays at 11/10c on ABC.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788.