There has been a lot of media attention on the recent news regarding Amber Heard and Johnny Depp. The estranged couple has been in the spotlight due to the abuse allegations made by Heard against Depp, but the real travesty here is that the public has begun labelling Heard as a "gold digger" and has turned her into a target for hateful comments. The worst part about all of this is that Heard is no longer the victim. She has been painted as the bad guy in the situation because Depp doesn't appear to have the ability to be an abuser. The problem with this belief is that no one looks like an abuser. The sweetest, most harmless person, can have a completely different persona in their personal space.
Neither you nor I can confidently say we know someone's true character. What one may see during the day can quickly shift into a different story in the comforts of that person's privacy. The case regarding Heard and Depp brought me back to what a struggle it is to watch a victim being further victimized by strangers and how tough it is to blame a seemingly good guy for a horrible deed.
The photos taken of Heard coming out of court and the photo evidence submitted, all showing the aftermath of the alleged abuse, have received either outrage towards Depp, or the same outrage directed towards Heard. We are constantly told that abuse can happen to anyone. So why can't it happen to a celebrity in the limelight? Why can't the abuser be someone who has starred in multiple blockbusters with a history of doing good? Why does society blame the abused of being a gold digger, or someone looking to get a better deal out of their divorce? I am not saying that he is guilty nor innocent. I am simply curious as to why we, as a society, cannot accept it when someone claims they have been abused. We simply jump to the conclusion that there is a greater end goal and an ulterior motive. The stigma surrounding victims needs to be addressed and it must be understood that victims need to be taken seriously. Tabloids and gimmicky headlines may sell better, but it's about time victims of abuse are given the same level of protection and respect that is, at times, erroneously given to their abuser.
We, the people, aren't properly equipped to handle a case like this. No matter how many hours we spend on Google researching how to prosecute and everything else we see on "Law & Order." We don't have the right to further victimize Heard, and to label her as someone she might, very well, not be. The good guy is capable of much more than what meets the eye and, sometimes, they're capable of some pretty terrifying things. And by no means does a victim have to constantly be in a state of despair, nor do they have to surround themselves in a bubble of sadness. No two cases are alike and abuse can take place anywhere, anytime, and affect anyone at any stage in their lives.
This particular case of domestic abuse involves a famous pair, but that does not mean that the rest should go unnoticed. Constantly remind yourself that nothing is as it seems and broaden your understanding of what it means to be a victim and what it means to abuse someone, whether physically, mentally, or verbally. Don't assume that just because someone is a saint during the day, that they don't dip their toes in whatever horrible thing tickles their fancy. I will say that the one positive result of having the allegations being brought into the light is the fact that there is more attention being brought to domestic violence and abuse. One can only hope that victims of abuse find the courage and support from those around them to report the crimes against them. There is strength in numbers and when enough people say enough is enough, the proper people will be forced to face the music.
