Amber, 30, was granted a temporary restraining order against her estranged husband after claiming he “violently attacked” her on May 21, including allegedly striking her in the face with his phone.
While the police were called to the couple’s residence at the time of the incident, Amber declined to give them an official statement – but now, the star’s lawyers say Amber has been forced to give her statement after Johnny’s team went to the press in an attempt to spread lies about her character.
“Amber did not provide a statement to the LAPD in an attempt to protect her privacy and Johnny’s career,” the statement reads.
Watch: Amber Heard files for divorce from Johnny Depp – story continues below
However, the lawyers add that Amber was left with no choice but to go to the police again, “as she cannot continue to leave herself open to the vicious false and malicious allegations that have infected the media”.
“Amber has suffered through years of physical and psychological abuse at the hands of Johnny,” her lawyers said, adding that when it came to giving the initial statement, Amber behaved as many other victims of domestic violence do by thinking first of her “abuser” and how they might be affected.
“Amber is a brave and financially independent woman who is showing the courage of her convictions by doing the right thing against Johnny’s relentless army of lawyers and surrogates,” the lawyers continue.
“Amber is the victim. Amber is a hero.”
Amber’s lawyers have confirmed the actress has given an official statement to police about her allegations of abuse against Johnny. Photo: Getty
Johnny and Amber had been married for 15 months when the actress filed for divorce on May 23, days after the death of his mother Betty Sue Palmer.
For his part, Johnny has refused to speak publicly about the split aside from a statement released through his rep on May 26, which said he would not be responding to “any of the salacious false stories, gossip, misinformation and lies”.
“Hopefully the dissolution of his short marriage will be resolved quickly,” the statement read.
Johnny’s teenage daughter Lily-Rose has since spoken out in her father’s defence, while his friend, comedian Doug Stanhope, wrote a column accusing Amber of blackmailing the Hollywood star.
The couple had been married for 15 months when Amber filed for divorce. The pair reportedly had no prenup when they tied the knot. Photo: Getty
