In May 2016, Amber Heard filed for a restraining order and divorce from Johnny Depp. This was following allegations that he had abused her both physically and verbally.
On November 26th Heard teamed up with the website Girlgaze to do a PSA on domestic violence. Following the “witch hunt” – what Heard’s close friend IO Tillet Wright described the media’s treatment of Amber – it is unsurprising she is using her platform to speak up.
Heard initially refused to speak to the police as she did not want to damage Depp’s career and did not want “the victim to be cast as the villain”. Since the allegations came out, Amber has received waves of abuse at the hands of the media and those using social media sites. There have been comments such as “Sure. On Saturday and Sunday she was protecting his career. On Monday she shifted gears and is now in scorched earth mode, doing everything in her power to destroy his career, reputation, name, and life. Makes sense.” And “She’s a gold digger who planned this from the start.”
Amber Heard
With these kind of comments, does it really surprise us when people don’t come forward about their abusers? This kind of victim shaming is the reason that only 1 in 4 women in the US report the abuse. To go through such a terrible ordeal is bad enough, but to then be doubted and branded a gold digger and a liar from the moment you speak up must be terrifying.
Later on in the divorce proceedings, photo’s emerged showing Depp to have changed the tattoo on his knuckles that once read “Slim” (his nickname for Amber) to “Scum”. Heard also sued Depp’s close friend for defamation after he wrote a column titled “Johnny Depp Is Being Blackmailed By Amber Heard – Here Is How I Know”. Following this very public split and endless victim shaming, both Heard and Depp released a statement. “Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm.” They came to a settlement in which Amber was awarded $7 million, all of which she donated to a domestic violence charity.
So why is Amber’s video with Girlgaze so important?
“I have a unique opportunity to remind other women not only that this doesn’t have to be the way it is, but you don’t have to do it alone.”
By using her platform as a public figure, speaking up on issues like this is so important to victims of domestic violence. It shows them that where coming forward may be terrifying, they are not alone and there are people out there willing to help. After being dragged through the mud, Amber has showed us that victim shaming is not the answer, and that we must all come together to support victims of domestic violence.
Main image from Wikimedia Commons
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