Trigger warning. This article contains references to domestic violence.
The verdict decided by the jury in the defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard was announced on Wednesday and the ruling has divided the internet.
After six weeks of upsetting testimonies from both sides, the jury found that Heard did defame Depp on all three counts in her 2018 op-ed for the Washington Post.
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The trial was live streamed on social media each day, leading to countless tweets, posts, hashtags and TikToks spreading across our timelines.
People have now taken to social media once again to react to the ruling, including survivors of domestic abuse and domestic violence.
One Twitter user claimed the trial was the ‘death of the Me Too movement’.
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Another woman called the ruling ‘a massive setback for women’.
A woman tweeted her response to the trial and the ruling, writing: “The Heard v Depp trial has made me think about the times I have described myself as a survivor of DV on social media.
She reflected: “I haven't named anyone but I'm now questioning whether it will come back and bite me one day. I imagine there are many women feeling the same way right now.”
A Twitter user, who described themselves as being a domestic violence survivor, shared: “As a DV survivor & someone who has directly experienced the bizarre lengths PD & the courts will go to invalidate an honest woman who is simply seeking justice I feel for Amber… I also feel for Johnny. Simply praying that both can heal from the harm they’ve caused each other.”
Some domestic violence survivors also expressed their happiness with the ruling. One person wrote: “Genuinely happy for #JohnnyDepp, but as a survivor of DV & sexual abuse, I couldn't be more annoyed that someone like #AmberHeard will make people think twice about what really DID happen to me & so many others, because having proof in these situations is not always possible.”
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Another domestic violence survivor who expressed support for Depp responded to a tweet suggesting that the ruling sets a ‘precedent for saying publicly that you are a victim of domestic violence, without naming your abuser, is considered defamation’. They replied: “As a real DV victim/survivor who actually watched the #DeppVsHeard trial, Don't spread BS lies & misinformation.
This case sets the precedent that abusers & those who lie about being abused can't get away with false accusations to perpetuate their abuse. #JusticeForJohnnyDepp”.
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Other women, including those who have survived domestic violence, said they do not consider Amber Heard to be representative of them or their stories.
“As a DV Survivor, I do not stand with @realamberheard and she is not my voice, nor the woman who I want to advocate for myself and others who are true survivors!!” one woman shared on Twitter. “I stand with Johnny Depp!!"
Other women on social media said the trial has raised the awareness of male domestic violence survivors. One tweet said: "In a society where men are taught to suppress their feelings, pain, and trauma for the sake of being taken seriously, this verdict has shown that men CAN be victims of DV and that they WILL be taken seriously."
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Depp has been awarded $15 million in damages - $10m in compensatory damages and $5m in punitive damages.
While the jury ruled that Heard's defamation claims against Depp were not fully proven, they did however award $2 million in compensatory damages to Heard.
If you're a victim looking to report abuse, you can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Or - if it is not safe to do so - visit the organisation's website and discreetly fill out a form.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: News, Celebrity, Johnny Depp
