A few days ago, Amber Heard had filed for divorce against her former husband, Johnny Depp. Just days later, the actress filed a restraining order against Depp due to domestic abuse. Her statement reads: "During the entirety of our relationship, Johnny has been verbally and physically abusive to me. I endured excessive emotional, verbal, and physical abuse which has included angry, hostile, humiliating and threatening assaults to me whenever I questioned his authority or disagreed with him."

Along with this statement, she had further proof of evidence including graphic pictures of her bruised face, an actual video of an assault, witnessed that attest to the domestic abuse who have heard it themselves, records of calling the police on multiple occasions in regards to being in an abusive environment. While she was granted the restraining order, the backlash she has received has overpowered the support she should be receiving.

Johnny Depp released a statement of his own after all the commotion and argued that: "Amber is attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse. Her current application for a temporary restraining order along with her financial requests appears to be in response to negative media attention she received earlier this week after filing for divorce."

And within hours of his statement, news reports, including ones such as Daily Mail, TMZ, US Magazine, etc. have invalidated her testimonies. As the media blatantly ignore Depp's past history with criminal activity and abusive activity, there have also been a few arguments thrown around in an attempt to disregard Heard's abuse. Some say that she's only innocent until proven guilty as they dismiss her evidence as "out of context" and "doing it for attention." Some say that she must've done something to trigger him, or rather the commonly phrased: "It's not his fault; what did she do to make him so angry?" Some say she's just another gold digger.

These types of statements often prioritize and excuse the abuser's behavior while blaming the victim. The abuser suddenly becomes the victim and the victim becomes a liar. This is incredibly toxic in the sense that it invalidates any individual that has been domestically abused in the past or the present.

"Varsha, why is this such a problem?"

Well, for one, she is a victim of domestic abuse. No amount of fame, money, pain from tragic events in his life can or should excuse his behavior. Bottom line is that abuse is abuse. It shouldn't matter that you may or may not believe who she is and what she stands for, no human ever deserves to be abused.

I read a post earlier this morning that eloquently summed up my feelings on this particular topic: "Just the fact that Amber Heard got up the courage to file for divorce is a big deal. When you’re in an abusive relationship – no matter what kind of abuse it is, it’s incredibly difficult to consider leaving. Thinking about the reaction your significant other might have to the news that you are doing something entirely for yourself for no other reason than it is right for you and good for you is terrifying. Add to that the fact that that person might have (probably has) manipulated you into thinking that you need them to move forward in your own life and you have a situation that is nearly impossible to handle. If you take a step toward regaining your independence, you may face serious consequences. If you stay in the relationship, you may face horrendous circumstances."

And secondly, the media has been contradicting everything they have stood for in the past, in terms of domestic abuse. Advertisements against domestic abuse, such as the popular one that aired at the Super Bowl last year, have aired a countless number of times to raise awareness of the increasing problem that has haunted so many women and men. However, the companies that are airing these ads are the same companies that are airing entertainment news shows and own entertainment news websites that invalidate Heard's cry for help.

This is scary for victims of domestic abuse. When the media outwardly tells society that they should come forward with their experiences of abuse, when they do, the media diminishes their ideology and resorts to assuming that it didn't happen or that the victim is lying about it or that the victim is just looking for attention. This, in turn, forces a misconception on society about domestic abuse - that abuse is excusable.

"Varsha, get on with it. What's your point?"

If a famous, privileged woman stands up for herself, she is shut down. What happens to the rest of the 20,000 domestically abused that are calling hotlines every single day trying to get away from their abuser? What happens when every one in three women and one in six men are domestically abused and are unable to be vocal about it?

Though the media have been and continue to remain contradictory when regarding domestic abuse, it is important to remember the main issue at hand. You cannot invalidate a victim's experience because you do not think it's true. By doing this, you are perpetuating the idea that abusive behavior is okay.

And it is also important to note that to be silent is to participate. Just because it isn't happening to you does not mean it isn't happening at all. Stand up for Amber Heard. Stand up for those who have been shut down repeatedly due to insufficient evidence. Stand up for those who have been discredited of their abuse simply because the media does not allow them to do so. Stand up for those who do not have a voice in this world but just wish to be heard.