Diddy Trial Places Spotlight on Trauma Bonding
By Dr. Kate Watson
What Is Trauma Bonding?
Trauma bonding, coined by psychologists Donald Dutton and Susan Painter and expanded by Patrick Carnes, is a psychological attachment that develops in abusive relationships due to a cycle of power imbalance and intermittent reward-and-punishment dynamics. It’s not simply a bond formed through shared hardship—it’s more akin to the emotional paradox of Stockholm syndrome, where fear, control, affection, and relief interchange unpredictably.
Key Features:
Power imbalance & control: One person holds authority over the other.
Cycles of abuse + affection: Abuse is followed by kindness or apology, creating hope.
Emotional dependency: Victims internalize blame, justify the abuser, and fear abandonment
Trauma Bonding in the Diddy Trial
The ongoing federal trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs has brought trauma bonding into the spotlight, with forensic experts testifying how it explains survivors’ behavior and perceived consent.
1. Expert Testimony on Trauma Bonds
Forensic psychologist Dr. Dawn Hughes explained that Combs’s accusers were trauma bonded, which may explain why they remained with him and appeared compliant—even during events the prosecution labels non-consensual “Freak Offs.” This counters the defense narrative that continued involvement implies consent.
2. Patterns of Coercion, Control & Reward
Testimony detailed years of physical beatings, threats, drug use, followed by affectionate messages and moments of tenderness. These episodic shifts are textbook trauma-bond dynamics—punishment followed by reward, reinforcing attachment.
The involvement of third-party “escorts,” blackmail, and forced secrecy further underscores the imbalance of power and the unpredictability central to trauma bonds.
3. Impact on Survivors’ Reactions
The accusers, including Cassie Ventura and “Jane,” described feeling trapped, uncertain, or fearful of speaking out—yet still showing care or staying connected. This is common in trauma bonds, where leaving feels dangerous or impossible.
The defense’s focus on “consensual” messages misses the nuance. Trauma bonding explains that manipulated compliance and emotional manipulation distort survivors’ behaviors—meaning apparent consent may not reflect autonomy.
Why It Matters
Trauma bonding matters publicly and legally. Rather than mere excuses, it offers context to survivors’ conduct—why they stayed, why they returned, and why they might defend or maintain contact with their abuser. It challenges the simplistic "consent or not" binary, pushing society and courts toward more trauma-informed approaches.
Breaking Trauma Bonds: Healing Requires Support
Trauma bonds don’t dissolve overnight. Experts recommend:
Recognition: Understanding the cycle of abuse and affection.
Support networks: Reconnecting with friends, family, therapists
Professional help: Trauma-informed therapy, group support, legal safety planning .
Trauma bonding explains the wrenching complexity survivors face—emotionally tethered to those who harm them, paralyzed between fear and fleeting love. The Combs trial isn’t just legal—it’s a stark reminder of how power, control, and manipulation warp human bonds. Recognizing trauma bonds is vital to both empathetic public understanding and just adjudication.