Amber Heard is to pursue women like her to fight for their rights. The actress partnered with the #GirlGaze Project for a new video about domestic violence, and briefly shares her personal story while fighting back tears.
Heard filed for divorce from ex-husband Johnny Depp in May after 15 months of marriage, claiming in court filings that Depp, 53, had abused her throughout their relationship.
In the court documents, Heard stated that "there was one severe incident in December 2015 when I truly feared for my life." In a photo obtained by PEOPLE, Heard can be seen with facial injuries, including an apparently bruised eye and cut lip - allegedly caused by Depp in that incident.
Also in May, Heard filed a domestic violence restraining order against Depp (which a judge granted) four days after filing for divorce.
"If I hadn't had a few people that I really trust around me, a few women support, a few friends. If I hadn't had them around me, how different my life would be," Heard continued in her emotional PSA.
"Just as a woman having gone through this in the public stage, in the public arena that I did it, I have a unique opportunity to remind other women this doesn't have to be the way it is, you don't have to do it alone, you're not alone. We can change this," she added.
In August, the former couple announced they had reached a divorce settlementoutside of court, just one day before their scheduled restraining order hearing. The judge ultimately dismissed the domestic violence case against Depp and terminated the actor's temporary restraining order.
Heard divided her full $7 million divorce settlement from Depp to a number of charities with "a particular focus to stop violence against women."
Heard concluded her #GirlGaze video with a powerful message: "Speak up, speak up. Raise your voice, your voice is the most powerful thing and we, together, as women standing shoulder to shoulder cannot and will not any longer accept silence."
Join the Conversation