DIDDY TRIAL: If It Was That Bad, Why Didn’t She Leave? The Truth About Coercive Control | Ep 4

Women of Impact

Impact Theory

Education, Society & Culture, Mental Health, Relationships, Health & Fitness

4.7 • 657 Ratings

🗓️ 30 May 2025

⏱️ 39 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Picking up where we left off, I’m diving into the vital question everyone keeps asking: “If it was that bad, why didn’t she just leave?” With my incredible co-host, criminal behavioral analyst Laura Richards by my side, we unpack the real mechanics behind coercive control, trauma bonding, and why leaving an abusive relationship is never as simple as it seems. Laura breaks down expert testimony, practical warning signs, and how cultural myths keep victims trapped—while offering tangible ways for women to identify and reclaim their autonomy. In this episode, we spotlight the power of knowledge, advocacy, and why changing the law is crucial for women’s safety. Whether you’re questioning your own relationship or looking to help a friend, this show delivers deeply personal insights and concrete tools for recognizing manipulation and abuse. SHOWNOTES Why victims of abuse can’t “just leave”: The truth behind manipulation and entrapment [00:00:46] Dr. Dawn Hughes’s court testimony—explaining trauma bonding, cycles of abuse, and coping mechanisms Grooming, love bombing, and why abusers alternate between charm and cruelty [00:03:38] Violent resistance and why “fighting back” can be even more dangerous The law’s failure to recognize coercive control—and its real-world impact on survivors Laura’s checklist: Signs you’re in a coercively controlling relationship The isolating power of charm, threats, and double standards in abusive dynamics Economic and sexual abuse as tools to limit agency and sustain dependency [00:25:02] The trauma bond: Why crisis can push victims closer to abusers, not further away Where to get more information and support—including quizzes, resources, and direct expert help CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠⁠ and entering promo code WOI at check out. BIOptimizers: Head to⁠⁠ https://bioptimizers.com/impact ⁠⁠and use code IMPACT for 10% off. OneSkin: Get 15% off with code LISA at ⁠⁠https://oneskin.co ⁠⁠ Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠⁠https://shopify.com/lisa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:57.0	If it was that bad, why didn't Cassie just leave? Guys, this is a sentiment that is repeated over and over online.
1:02.0	And if we don't understand the depth of how this manipulation actually happens,
1:06.0	then we're going to be here again.
1:07.0	It's just going to be another diddy in waiting.
1:10.0	So here to help us understand the depth of where that spider web goes is my co-hosts for this special series, Criminal Behavioral Analyst, Laura Richards.
1:19.6	All right, Laura, we're going to talk about Dr. D Dawn Hughes, who's a forensic psychologist that wasn't
1:28.4	allowed to say the words coercive control. So talk to me about her testimony, why it was important,
1:36.3	and what are the things that actually have weight to it? Yeah, so Dr. Dawn Hughes is credible
	...

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