“It’s a case built on ego,” she said
A former Love Island star said waking up to the news that Johnny Depp had won his case against Amber Heard was “triggering”.
On Wednesday, Depp was awarded $15m in damages after a jury concluded that his ex-wife Heard had defamed him. The jury also found that Heard had been defamed, and she was awarded $2m, though the Aquaman actor has already announced plans to appeal the decision.
Heard said the jury’s verdict against Johnny Depp has “set back the clock for women.”
“It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated,” she said, “It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously.”
Also speaking out about the verdict, Tayla Damir, who starred in the first season of Love Island Australia, said she has been a victim of domestic violence, and worries that the trial’s outcome may make other victims feel too scared to come forward.
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Posting on social media, she said: “As someone who has been through domestic violence in a relationship at a young age and survived, the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard case is extremely triggering. The case has been seen as a drama series to the world. An opportunity for memes and TikTok videos. The worst thing about this court case is that neither of them are fighting for domestic abuse changes but instead arguing about their reputations. It’s a case built on ego.”
Damir went on to say that, for people in abusive relationships, one of their “biggest fears” is that no one will believe them.
“And when you watch how the world has reacted to this case (taken the opportunity to create a mockery of it) do you blame them?” she said.
The Love Island star said the “world’s reaction over the last few weeks” could mean victims are now too scared to come forward.
She ended her post by writing: “Its not a matter of who won or lost the case. It’s about respecting people who are survivors of domestic violence who didn’t survive and who are trying to survive.”
Related stories:
- Johnny Depp sought $50m in damages but won’t even get the $15m he was awarded
- Johnny Depp’s ‘will make comeback’ after court victory as Amber Heard branded ‘unemployable’
- Johnny Depp: Staff at UK pub where actor celebrated reveal exactly what he said after win
