Diddy’s trial: Dr. Dawn Hughes discusses in court trauma bonds and why sufferers are unable to leave violent relationships

On May 12, 2025, prosecutors brought in clinical psychologist Dr. Dawn Hughes as an expert witness on the trauma bond in the very famous federal trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs in Manhattan.

The trial was in its second week. Cassie Ventura, Combs's ex-girlfriend, and others have accused the 55-year-old artist of sex trafficking by force, racketeering conspiracy, and moving people over state lines for prostitution. Ventura spoke of the mental and physical abuse she suffered for years, and Dr. Hughes told the jury why victims like her frequently remain in abusive situations.

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Dr. Dawn Hughes discusses in court trauma bonds and violent relationships during Diddy’s trial

Dr. Dawn Hughes is a forensic psychologist who has worked on several well-known cases in which abuse was alleged. In addition to her testimony in Johnny Depp's defamation action against Amber Heard, she also testified against R. Kelly in 2021 and in the Keith Raniere sex cult trial.

Hughes claimed in Combs's trial that she hadn't met Ventura in person but had instead relied on peer-reviewed studies and conversations with other survivors of domestic abuse. The prosecution maintained she was fair and made her conclusions based on well-known scientific studies. On the other hand, the defense said she didn't judge herself.

Dr. Dawn Hughes says that a trauma bond is the deep emotional connection that develops between two people who have been abused, manipulated, and shown love and tenderness in short bursts. According to the BBC, she went on to warn that those who have been abused may feel trapped and scared of what would happen if they attempted to get away, since abusers frequently employ emotional control, financial reliance, and isolation.

In her testimony, Dawn Hughes said:

“Victims may believe the abuser’s promises to change, minimizing the severity of incidents and elevating hope during brief positive interactions.”

She noted that this pattern might lead to a loop where victims keep attempting to terminate the relationship and then go back to it in the hopes of finding safety.

Dawn Hughes went into further detail on how trauma ties affect victims' ability to cope and remember things, as well as ongoing abuse. Passive self-defense, which includes things like curling up into a ball or agreeing to stop the abuse, is one way she says she copes.

One type of active self-defense is trying to get away from the abuser or get their attention differently. This may sometimes make the abuser angrier. Hughes remarked that it's very uncommon for people's recollections to become mixed up or not match up when they're under a lot of stress.

During cross-examination, Combs' attorneys made it clear that Hughes had not met with Ventura or Combs in person, emphasizing her method. They disagreed with her utilization of case-specific interviews in favor of theoretical models and secondary sources. Hughes says that as an expert witness, her goal is not to make a clinical diagnosis but to assist the jury in comprehending broader patterns of abuse.

The defense said that Ventura and Combs's relationship was consensual, but the prosecution asked Hughes for his opinion to back up its story that the defendant's late reporting and compliance were typical psychological responses to coercion. Legal experts say that expert testimony on trauma bonding may be very important since it helps jurors understand why victims remain with their abusers or don't disclose it straight away.

The introduction of trauma-bond evidence in a high-profile trial shows that the judicial system is becoming more conscious that mental abuse is equally as bad as physical abuse. People in power and the general public frequently look down on and suspect victims of human trafficking and domestic abuse. Expert witnesses like Hughes aim to debunk these stereotypes by giving evidence-based points of view.

Dr. Dawn Hughes' testimony in the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs has shown how trauma attachments, fragmented memories, and coping techniques may make it hard for abuse victims to leave their abusers.

Every time a new witness is called to the stand, her expert evidence changes how the judge and jury understand Cassie Ventura's statements and the way that compulsion works in intimate relationships in general. People will be watching every step in one of the year's most closely watched court cases to see how this evidence influences the jury's discussions and, finally, the decision.