Amber Heard Pens Moving Essay on Domestic Abuse: ''I Resented the Label of Victim''

Actress' writing appeared in Porter magazine

By Lily Harrison Dec 13, 2016 1:21 AMTags
Watch: Is the Johnny Depp & Amber Heard Abuse Commentary Dangerous?

Amber Heard wants those suffering from domestic violence to know that they are not alone.

The actress, who is currently in the last steps of finalizing her divorce to Johnny Depp, penned a lengthy, heartfelt essay in Porter magazine for their December issue.

In it, she expresses her resentment towards being labeled a victim, why women around the globe should feel empowered to speak out and why no one should suffer in silence any longer.

"You are not alone. You may have suffered alone behind closed doors, but you are not alone. You need to know that. I want to remind you of your strength, a strength that has been multiplied by the number of women who stand silently behind you—a truth that allowed me to break down the doors I once found myself behind," she began by writing.

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"Let's start with the truth—the cold, hard truth. 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, skepticism and shame. Her motives will be questioned and her truth ignored."

The Magic Mike actress added that "it takes real strength to come forward" and that "it isn't easy to raise your voice, to stand up for yourself and your truth, and to do it ‘alone.'"

In the end, Heard expressed her own point of view during her difficult time, without naming any names, by explaining, "I was raised to be independent and self-reliant.  I was never given nor wanted the burden of dependency. I never felt like anyone would or could rescue me, so naturally I resented the label of ‘victim.'"

Heard ended on a powerful message to those going through a similar experience: "As I write this today, I can promise every woman who is suffering in silence, you are not alone. You may not see us, but we are there."