Cassie Was 'Hopeful That Justice Would Come' Ahead of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Arrest: 'Her Life Was in Danger' (Source Exclusive)

Cassie previously sued her ex, alleging rape, sex trafficking and domestic violence

As Sean “Diddy” Combs faces the fallout of his arrest, singer Cassie is standing strong with the support of her family, according to a source, nearly one year after her lawsuit opened the floodgates of sexual assault allegations against her music mogul ex.

Combs, 54, was arrested on Monday, Sept. 16 and charged in a three-count indictment with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The arrest came after Cassie (née Casandra Ventura) accused the star of rape, sex trafficking and domestic violence in a November 2023 lawsuit that was ultimately settled the next day.

Shortly after Ventura, 38, filed suit, other accusers followed, and Combs — who has denied all claims against him — is currently facing at least four other sexual assault lawsuits.

“The amount of courage it took Cassie to speak out, and be one of the first to speak out, can’t be underscored enough,” a Ventura source tells PEOPLE exclusively. “It was terrifying in a very real way. There have been so many people protecting Diddy for so long and it’s not an exaggeration to say her life was in danger through all this.”

Related: Cassie Breaks Silence After Diddy Abuse Footage Surfaces: 'I Will Always Be Recovering from My Past'

Related: Son of Sean 'Diddy' Combs Seen in Courtroom Reading Sex Crimes Indictment Against Father

When the “Me & You” singer settled her suit against Combs, she said at the time that the former couple had “decided to resolve this matter amicably” on terms that gave her “some level of control.” But in May, surveillance video that showed the hip-hop star grabbing, shoving and kicking Cassie during a 2016 argument were released by CNN. The footage matched allegations the singer had made in her lawsuit, and Combs later issued an apology, saying, “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.”

According to the source, the past year has been a difficult stretch for Ventura, who has been leaning on husband Alex Fine for support. The pair were married in 2019, and share daughters Frankie, 4, and Sunny, 3.

Related: Inside the Alleged 'Freak Offs' at Center of Sex Crimes Charges Against Sean 'Diddy' Combs

“It’s been really, really hard for her, and for Alex as well, but he has been the biggest support,” the insider adds. “She was very hopeful that justice would come.”

Ventura and Combs dated for 10 years, and when she filed suit in November, she said she was “finally ready to tell my story” after spending “years in silence and darkness.” After the release of the footage that showed her being physically abused by Combs, she said in a statement that “the outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now.”

"But this is only the beginning," she wrote. "Domestic Violence is THE issue. It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become. With a lot of hard work, I am better today, but I will always be recovering from the past."

"This healing journey is never ending, but this support means everything to me," she also said. "Thank you."

An indictment against Combs that was unsealed on Tuesday, Sept. 17 alleged that from 2008 on, the star “abused, threatened and coerced women and others, and led a racketeering conspiracy that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice, among other crimes,” according to a press release from Homeland Security Investigations - New York.

"Today, we shatter any false notion of impunity as we uncover the defendant's alleged pattern of manipulation, exploitation and outright abuse," HSI New York Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker said in a statement. "Make no mistake: we are here today only because of the unwavering strength of victims and witnesses who have already endured unspeakable hardships. I commend them for their courage and urge anyone who believes they are a victim of sex trafficking to contact HSI by email at [email protected], or via our mobile tip-line: 1-877-4-HSI-TIP."

Combs’ racketeering charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, as does his charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. Transportation for purposes of prostitution carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

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