Amber Heard Suffered PTSD From ‘Intimate Partner Violence by Mr. Depp,’ Psychologist Tells Court

thewrap.com:

Editors Note: This article contains descriptions of sexual violence, which some readers may find troublingAmber Heard’s legal team called their first witness Tuesday afternoon in Johnny Depp’s $50 million defamation trial against the “Aquaman” actress.

Dr. Dawn Hughes took the stand and told the court, in her opinion, Heard’s “report of intimate partner violence is consistent with what we know about intimate partner violence, characterized by physical violence, psychological aggression, sexual violence, coercive control and surveillance behaviors.”Hughes, a clinical and forensic psychologist specializing in interpersonal violence and traumatic stress, was hired to conduct a psychological evaluation of Heard.

Hughes told the Fairfax, Virginia courtroom that she reviewed medical records, psychological records, texts, emails, audio and video recordings from the case and met with Heard’s therapists and the actress’ mother.

Hughes said she also met with Heard for 29 hours over four visits in September 2019 and January 2021 for the evaluation.The psychologist said Heard reported a number of physically violent behaviors by Depp. “He pushed her, he shoved her, he slapped her with the front of his hand and the back of his hand, he choked her, he slammed her into the wall, he pushed her and she fell down, he kicked her in the back,” Hughes said.She also alleged that there were a number of incidents of sexual violence in the relationship. “When Mr.