'When it happens with someone you love, it's not straightforward': Amber Heard tearfully discusses domestic violence in PSA

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She settled her divorce with Johnny Depp earlier this year after alleging that the actor was 'verbally and physically abusive' throughout their relationship.

And now Amber Heard is speaking up about domestic violence in a public service announcement for GirlGaze Project.

The group shared a video to YouTube on Friday which saw the 30-year-old growing increasingly emotional and fighting back tears. 

Speaking up: Amber Heard is speaking up about domestic violence in a public service announcement for GirlGaze Project

At the beginning of the clip, Amber - who appeared to have been filmed at home - recalled asking herself: 'How is this happening to me? I’m strong, smart, I’m not a victim.'

'I guess there was a lot of shame attached to that, the label of victim,' she explained. It happens to so many women you know. When it happens in your home behind closed doors with someone you love, it’s not straightforward. If a stranger did this it would be a no-brainer.'

Amber said she is grateful to have had good friends by her side, telling the camera: 'If I hadn’t had them around me, how different my life would be.'

Emotional: The group shared a video to YouTube on Friday which saw the 30-year-old growing increasingly emotional and fighting back tears

The actress added: '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.'

Amber urged women who are experiencing domestic violence to speak up, no matter how scared they might be.

'The only way that people are going to feel comfortable coming forward, raising their voices, standing up for themselves, is if we change the system in place that keeps them quiet,' she said.

Sharing her story: Amber settled her divorce with Johnny Depp earlier this year after alleging that the actor was 'verbally and physically abusive' throughout their relationship

'If a stranger did this it would be a no-brainer': The actress said that 'when it happens in your home behind closed doors with someone you love, it's not straightforward'

'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.'

The video was released on Friday to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Towards Women.

Amber filed for divorce from Johnny in May after one year of marriage, and obtained a temporary restraining order against him five days later.

'I'm not a victim': Amber explained that there is 'a lot of shame attached to the label of victim'

'How different my life would be': The Drive Angry star said she is grateful that she has had good friends around her

The Drive Angry star provided photographs of her battered face as evidence of abuse, along with witness statements.

However Johnny's lawyers alleged that Amber was 'attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse' because on an occasion that police were called to her home, she said there had been a 'verbal dispute only' and officers saw no evidence of a crime at the time.

Amber and Johnny reached a settlement in August, with the actress receiving $7million and dismissing her restraining order against the Pirates Of The Caribbean star.

'I have a unique opportunity': Amber told the camera that having her experience in the 'public arena' means she wants to help others

'Raise your voice': Amber urged women who are experiencing domestic violence to speak up, no matter how scared they might be

Amber donated all of the money to charity, splitting it evenly between the American Civil Liberties Union for their work to stop violence against women, and the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

In a joint statement to announce their divorce settlement, Johnny and Amber said: 'Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love.

'Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm.'

PSA: The video was released on Friday to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Towards Women

Messy split: Amber and Johnny (seen in February) reached a settlement in August, with the actress receiving $7million, which she donated to charity, and dismissing her restraining order