In the past two weeks, one story seems to be dominating the headlines: actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard and their divorce, mainly focusing on the motive. Amber claims Depp had been abusing her and even had pictures and video of the alleged abuse taking place. While many stand by Heard, even more challenge her accusations despite evidence.
Every few years or so a big story comes out that one of our Hollywood celebrities has been in an abusive or toxic relationship. From Tina Turner 40 years ago to 2009 when Rihanna was beaten by her boyfriend of the time, Chris Brown, to very recently Kesha, a popular singer came out to say her producer Dr. Luke had sexually assaulted her. Every time a major icon comes out about abuse there's always a large group of people, especially in the media, who insist that they're lying, usually for money. I understand that a big scandal is a much more of an interesting article for TMZ to report on than one that just I don't know told facts, but it creates a terrible perception that abuse victims usually lie. This needs to stop.
When a man or women who is being abused sees the headline "'Demon' Amber Heard 'threatened to lie publicly' about Johnny Depp before abuse claim" in a tabloid they probably won't think about how it's more than likely not true or if it is its most certainly exaggerated, they think about how no one is believing Amber, so no one will believe them. Victims of abuse typically struggle leaving their abuser for a host of reasons, one very common one being that they think the people surrounding them will be convinced that they're lying, doing it for attention, money, or even vengeance. They often times feel so ashamed to begin with as if it is their fault they are getting mistreated. When they see others being shamed for the same thing, it makes it harder for them to speak out against their abuser because it solidifies that they are in the wrong when that is not the case. Celebrities hold a unique position where their actions, reactions, and how they are treated shapes the rest of society especially when it comes to cases like this one. The way we treat people like Rihanna, Kesha and Amber is more than likely how other victims of abuse will end up being treated too.
Now I'm not saying we shouldn't have a natural skepticism or we should believe everything we hear but as a society but we should try to be more conscious of the impact of our words than we currently are. Many people are jumping to Johnny's side saying that he's innocent until proven guilty, or that we shouldn't jump to conclusions which is right, we shouldn't. Yet Depp actually isn't on trial, with the exception of court mandated anger management and a restraining order, he more than likely won't be faced with too many financial, judicial, or social repercussions from Amber's accusations, with the exception of whatever comes out of the divorce settlement. Heard never pressed charges against her husband, she only filed for a restraining order. The only one in this unfortunate circumstance who's really on trial is Amber. Every news outlet, every reporter and every overly opinionated person on Facebook seems to be putting her on trial for her accusations and trying to resolve something that the court systems have already put a ruling on. Did he actually hit her? Could she have given that bruise to herself? Does her bisexuality and apparent lesbian friend have to do with the split? Did she threaten Depp before had? It seems like every move she's made for the past few months has been put to the test to see if it could have some ulterior motive.
Putting a victim through such rigorous questioning just reinforces what other victims will probably have to go to if they try to contact authorities about their abuse. Heard got what she wanted, a restraining order and a divorce. Johnny, besides on the account of his reputation -- which doesn't seem all too damaged anyway, after Shy Magazine reported with excitement that the actor is "back on the market" -- probably won't face any real backlash from the event. So why do we continuously need to question Amber? Are we in search of the truth or are we just in search of the most interesting story, no matter the cost.
