In the week where Chris Brown’s sellout sparked controversy and Diddy was found ‘not guilty’ of sex trafficking. What can we learn about the standard men are held to?
In the last week, clips and interviews posted across social media have sparked raging debate surrounding who is held accountable for their actions, as many fans of Chris Brown call those who condemn him ‘haters’ or state ‘they’re just jealous’ and ‘people can change’.
For those who don’t know, American Rapper Chris Brown has a history of violence against women. First noted in 2009, against ex-girlfriend Rihanna, where he assaulted her on the night before the Grammys, leaving swelling and bruising on her face, a bloody nose, and bite marks on her arms. Since then, he punched a woman in the face after she tried to get a photo with him in 2016, had a restraining order filed by his ex girlfriend in 2017, was sued for sexual assault in 2018, and was accused of drugging and raping a professional dancer in 2020. It takes a simple Google search to see the extensive list of alleged assaults by Chris Brown, so how was his 2025 ‘Breezy Bowl’ a sellout?
In a time where now more than ever women are encouraged to speak out about sexual violence and assault, it appears to many that the struggle for feminism and the need to protect women is behind us. However, the justifications of fans across the UK claimed that Chris Brown only faced this level of scrutiny ‘because he’s in the limelight’ and ‘people can change’.
Statistics showed in 2023 in the UK, 69.2% of rape survivors dropped out of investigations in the justice system. This figure in 2016 sat at 55.5%. Low police conviction rates and fears over the trauma of reliving the crime in court are the main reasons for this. The echoes of fans’ statements this week hit home for survivors of domestic and sexual assault, who recognise that supporting and paying money to a known abuser, strengthens not only this individual, but reiterates to women across the country, ‘we don’t believe you’.
Over in America, Sean Combs’ (Diddy’s) trial, which has been ongoing for the last eight weeks, shared a similar message, as he was found not guilty of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.
Although Diddy will potentially face ten years for other crimes, he was found not guilty of the most serious charges that would have carried a life sentence. Despite thirty-four witnesses against him, including two ex-girlfriends, and an array of production staff, assistants and hotel staff who witnessed these events, the jury still reached the verdict not guilty.
The BBC have remarked it is ‘quite striking that he’s been found not guilty’. Alongside this, Diddy had many supporters who were waiting outside of the court for him.
The reason that Chris Brown and Diddy both continue to receive masses of support is simply because the world still doesn’t believe women. We put wealthy, successful individuals on a pedestal and think that because we ‘like their music’ and they are famous, we can be separated from directly perpetuating part of the problem. These instances where fans justify the behaviours of superstars demonstrate how jury bias still plays a concerningly wide role in the convictions of individuals and men who appear charismatic and charming.
Male celebrities are idolised and therefore dodge accountability when it comes to serious crimes and offences. Too many women forget that these men have a history of violence with real convictions, and just how harrowing domestic and sexual assault is on victims.
Glasgow’s Women Aid have released a statement accusing the entertainment industry of repeatedly turning a blind eye to violence against women and highlighted that Chris Brown’s success tells survivors that abuse does not have consequences.
It is not our job as women to educate and preach about who we should and shouldn’t support, but directly paying a man who has legal fees for court cases against women makes it difficult to agree that the world believes victims of abuse and respects women to the same level we respect men.
