In May, behind a bruised cheek and black eye, Amber Heard alleged in a Los Angeles court that she'd been beaten by ex Johnny Depp. Still, she refuses to accept the role of "victim" of domestic violence.

In a letter addressed to "silent sisters everywhere" that's featured in the December issue of PorterHeard opens up about her experience, and describes the difficulty women face when they try to speak up about domestic violence.

"Let’s start with the truth — the cold, hard truth. When a woman comes forward to speak out about injustice or her suffering, instead of aid, respect and support, she will be met with hostility, skepticism and shame,” she wrote. “Her motives will be questioned and her truth ignored."

Moreover, Heard said facing down demons is particularly difficult when the label "victim" begins to pop up.

"I was raised to be independent and self-reliant," she noted. "I was never given nor wanted the burden of dependency. I never felt like anyone would or could rescue me, so naturally I resented the label of ‘victim.’ ”

"You, like me, see yourself not as a victim but rather as a member of a growing class of women, daughters of a generation of equality," she added. "We have inherited far too much to be resigned to accept injustice and together we are much too strong to excuse it any longer."

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