Clinical and forensic psychologist Dawn Hughes has testified at the trial of Sean "P. Diddy" Combs in New York, offering expertise on the psychological dynamics of relationship violence and the behavior of victims.

Hughes, who has testified in other high-profile cases, including those involving Amber Heard and Johnny Depp , stressed that it is very common for victims to continue to stay in abusive relationships. She explained that abusers often use a variety of methods, beyond physical violence, to make victims feel trapped.

Dawn Hughes at the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp trial

According to Hughes, sexual abuse is a very private harm that can make it difficult for a victim to seek help to leave an abusive relationship. She added that victims often use substances to "numb" themselves and that abusive relationships often involve love and kindness in addition to the abuse.

Hughes also explained that it is common for victims to use minimizing language and be hesitant when disclosing abuse, and that they often don't remember every specific time they were abused. She emphasized that it is necessary for victims to have resources to leave the relationship, and when an abuser controls their living expenses, it is difficult for the victim to see a way out.

During the trial, P. Diddy's lawyers asked psychologist Dawn Hughes about certain terms like "coercive control" - a form of abuse that includes not only physical violence, but also emotional manipulation, financial control, isolation, etc. They also asked her about the credibility of the victims, perhaps to test whether she thought their behaviors were "common" for victims or not, in order to strengthen their defense arguments.

Hughes, as an expert, said that these are important terms and behaviors to understand why a victim behaves in a way that can sometimes seem contradictory (e.g. stays with the abuser, does not report immediately, minimizes the event, etc.).

But, she emphasized that she had not interviewed any of the victims or witnesses, which means: she was speaking in general terms as an expert and not making assessments about the specific case (i.e., she was not saying whether the victims in this case are credible or not).

The testimony is part of a trial that involves serious allegations against P. Diddy of sexual assault, trafficking and exploitation of women over a period of more than two decades. Prosecutors have presented considerable evidence, including a raid on Diddy's Miami villa, where Homeland Security agents found drugs, weapons and suspicious personal items.

Prosecutors have argued that Hughes' testimony is necessary to understand the victims' behavior and contextualize their reactions to the abuse.

They allege, however, that P. Diddy's defense attorneys are using psychologist Dawn Hughes' testimony not only to explain the victims' behavior in general, but also to cast doubt on the victims' versions of events in this specific case. For example, suggesting that they are not credible because they did not react "immediately," do not have accurate memories, or remained in a relationship with their abuser.

This trial has attracted public attention and is expected to continue for several weeks, with further testimony planned by prosecutors and the defense.

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_{Source: CNN}