Actress Amber Heard wrote a column in The Washington Post, sharing the consequences she faced for speaking out about domestic abuse and violence, after divorcing her ex-husband Johnny Depp.
Heard wrote she had to pay for the consequences for speaking out and representing domestic abuse two years ago, saying she felt "our culture's wrath for women who speak out." After her divorce with Depp, where she accused him of beating her up, the 32-year-old actress was told never work in Hollywood again, the South China Morning Post reported.
Her movie role has been recast, a company that hired her for a two-year gig dropped her, and there were doubts if she should keep her role as Mera in Justice League and the recently released Aquaman - although she did in the end.
Heard shared she decided to change her phone number every week because she's constantly receiving death threats. For several months, the actress rarely left home, and whenever she comes out, camera drones and photographers have been tailing her. She also recalled tabloids frequently posting mean pictures about her.
"I had the rare vantage point of seeing, in real time, how institutions protect men accused of abuse," Heard wrote.
Now, the actress wants to protect and support women who speak out about domestic abuse and violence. According to Heard, the first thing to do is reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act - a 1994 law in which she described as one of the most effective legislation established to fight sexual assault and domestic violence.
The divorce of Heard and Depp, after being married for less than two years, has been one of the most toxic happenings in Hollywood in 2016. Their ugly affair featured accusations of physical abuse, leaked texts and cellphone pictures of facial bruises, restraining orders, as well as dueling lawyers and publicists.
At that time, Hear told the Los Angeles police about the alleged abuse, but told reporters they didn't found evidence of a crime when they arrived. Up to this day, Depp denies beating his ex-wife. Eventually, the actress withdrew her allegation that the actor abused her, and then they settled their divorce in August 2016.
They also issued a joint statement to the media back then. The statement noted their relationship was passionate and volatile at times, but it is always bounded by love. Heard donated her divorce settlement to a charity focused on fighting domestic abuse of women. Now, she is also an ambassador on women's rights for the American Civil Liberties Union.
And although the actress didn't name Depp in her column, one particular passage likely referred to the actor. She compared a powerful man to a ship, such as the Titanic. When it strikes the iceberg, the majority of the people will patch up hole - not because they care, but their fates depend on the enterprise.
