Following going public with allegations of spousal abuse, Amber Heard has become the focus of copious tabloid articles and hot takes.
The actress claimed that Johnny Depp, her husband of 15 months, was suffering from substance abuse issues and had physically injured her while under the influence, according to court filings. She has been granted a temporary restraining order against Depp.
This hasn’t stopped the Pirates of the Caribbean star from appearing seemingly everywhere. Potentially problematic headlines have abounded, enraging both supporters of Heard and Depp.
https://twitter.com/iriswestbest/status/736283970980052992
https://twitter.com/kevinpokeeffe/status/736270287554138112
In light of this ongoing legal battle and the emotions it’s brought forth, hashtag campaigns have been established. While many have chosen to let this case play out in a court of law, others have been quite vocal on who they choose to believe.
And, according to data obtained by social media tracker Keyhole, a majority of those who are speaking out on Twitter are doing so in support of Heard. Over the course of the last two weeks, hundreds of users have tweeted out the #ImWithAmber hashtag as well as the #WeStandWithAmber hashtag.
https://twitter.com/bethyvictoriax/status/736984993822564352
https://twitter.com/empirekendalI/status/736561429332013056
when abuse survivors stay silent, they are blamed and called cowards. when they speak up, they are blamed and called liars #ImWithAmber
— aillah 👁️👄👁️ (@thranduilien) May 28, 2016
Because her sexuality (or her friends'!!) should have NOTHING to do with this. #ImWithAmber #WeStandWithAmber pic.twitter.com/IGk1GaofKE
— isabel 🍉 (@cheekyflorence) May 27, 2016
Though it’s also been trending, the #ImWithJohnny hashtag has significantly less mentions and reach. Over 1.8 million people have seen tweets with the #ImWithAmber hashtag, compared to the over 432,000 who have seen #ImWithJohnny tweets.
Domestic violence is an incredibly serious issue that affects one in three women and one in four men, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Only recently has the issue reached the public conscious, thanks to efforts from nonprofits as well as viral speeches from survivors and advocates.
Those who speak out about abuse do so in the face of potential physical threat, to say nothing of the psychological consequences. The fact that so many Twitter uses have so vocally supported Heard points to people adopting positive techniques that may hopefully make more victims comfortable about going public with allegations of abuse. Sometimes saying something—even with a hashtag—can make all the difference.