The "misogynistic" media frenzy surrounding the Depp and Heard trial could have a damaging impact on victims of domestic abuse, experts say.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The highly publicised defamation trial came to a close on Thursday, with actor Johnny Depp being awarded $US15 million ($20.86 million) in damages from actress Amber Heard over an article she penned titled: 'I spoke up against sexual violence - and faced our culture's wrath. That has to change.'
After a six-week trial and deliberating for 12 hours over three days, the jury ruled in favour of Depp on all three counts, finding that she had indeed acted with actual malice.
Heard's lawyers told the jury Depp's libel claim had to fail if Heard suffered even a single incident of abuse.
While jurors awarded Depp $US15 million in damages from Heard, which the judge reduced to $US10.35 million to comply with state limits on punitive damages.
The panel ordered Depp to pay Heard $US2 million in damages.
NSW Illawarra Women's Health Centre general manager Sally Stevenson said the trial came with a flood of online commentary, much of which "humiliated" victims and survivors of domestic violence.
"It's very triggering and damaging to victims ... because of the way Amber Heard has been treated," she said.
"The overall misogynistic content that has rolled out on social media platforms ... has been absolutely disgraceful."
READ MORE: Heard 'demonised' in Depp trial: lawyer
Ms Stevenson believed the way the six-week trial was portrayed on social media served as an example of how legal processes can be "weaponised" against alleged victims of abuse.
Federation University researcher Elisa Zentveld, based in Ballarat, Victoria, who specialises in family violence prevention, was "disturbed" by the level of passionate interest people across the world have had in following the case and casting uninformed judgement.
Associate Professor Zentveld said it was unfair to judge either party but her major concern was in the public reaction.
"The fact this was a defamation case is not what people will remember it for," Associate Professor Zentveld said.
"This is seen as false allegations of family violence that may deter genuine victims from raising genuine concerns of family violence."
The fact this was a defamation case is not what people will remember it for.
- Federation University researcher Elisa Zentveld.
Victorian Central Highlands Integrated Family Violence Committee principal strategic adviser Jess Cadwallader said defamation cases had been used in Australia to silence victim-survivors of family violence before.
Dr Cadwallader said this was a legal strategy used to further family violence and while Heard might be able to afford to pay damages, many women could not.
"There is a chilling effect from this case, but there could also be legal implications," Dr Cadwallader said.
"We've worked hard to raise the profile of preventing family violence and central to that is having victim-survivor advocates speak publicly about their experience.
"The defamation response has me concerned people might not come forward as much. It's not about getting personal but personal experience is required to add to discussions on family violence more broadly."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Dr Cadwallader said family violence was an incredible complex issue and community support was vital to recognise family violence occurred and was unacceptable.
She said an added complexity was the trial highlighted reactive violence, which too often subjected women to extraordinary vitriol compared to males who were fundamentally painted as generally good guys.
Dr Cadwallader said family violence was not talked about openly enough to help break these barriers. Victim-survivors were often managing multiple levels of risk in concerns of who to tell, wondering what the response will be and considering how to get out of a relationship.
As "chilling" as the Depp-Heard trial has been described, Dr Cadwallader still encouraged victim-survivors to come forward safely.
If you require support contact the RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
- with The Courier