On April 27, Amber Heard filed for a domestic violence restraining order from her now-ex-husband Johnny Depp, 53.
Following their highly publicised divorce, the 30-year-old actress has been using her celebrity status to raise awareness about the chilling reality of domestic abuse against women.
It is now being reported by the Daily Mail that Johnny Depp is “furious” that Amber has been speaking out about domestic violence recently.
And Johnny is said to be so frustrated that the actor is allegedly stalling the $6.8million settlement payment he is due to pay Amber (money that she has said she will donate to American Civil Liberties Union to help stop violence against women, as well as the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles).
Not deterring the star, in her latest, and most candid confession, published in the December issue of Porter magazine, Amber has penned a powerful letter to her “silent sisters” – those among us who have suffered at the hands of domestic violence and feel they have to keep quiet to avoid societal scrutiny.
“Let’s start with the truth – the cold, hard truth,” she writes.
“When a woman comes forward to speak out about injustice or her suffering, instead of aid, respect and support, she will be met with hostility, scepticism and shame.”
“Her motives will be questioned and her truth ignored.”
“No matter how terrible or terrifying surviving trauma may be, unfortunately, it can pale in comparison to what follows. It’s no wonder so many of us feel we have to keep quiet, or risk our own safety to try to maintain our dignity by quietly enduring.”
“The fear of being ostracised from society is just about the most terrifying prospect there is.”
Amber then goes on to emphasise the importance of speaking out, and the strength it takes to push past the undeserving criticism “to stand up for yourself”.
“We have inherited far too much to be resigned to accept injustice and together we are much too strong to excuse it any longer.”
“You may not see us, but we are there. Your sisters everywhere – and we are with you.”
In Australia, one woman dies every week at the hands of domestic violence. If you need to talk to someone about your situation, visit the White Ribbon website.
