Amber Heard Explains Why She Didn’t Report Johnny Depp’s Alleged Domestic Violence to Police

In a new statement from Amber Heard’s lawyer, the actress is explaining why she didn’t tell police about her alleged abuse from Johnny Depp, PEOPLE reports.

Heard’s lawyers said she is “simply a victim of domestic violence” who decided not to report her alleged abuse to police who responded to a 911 call on May 21 in order to protect her privacy and Johnny’s career.”

“As the result of Amber’s decision to decline giving an initial statement to the LAPD, her silence has been used against her by Johnny’s team,” said Samantha F. Spector, Heard’s attorney.

“Amber did not provide a statement to the LAPD in an attempt to protect her privacy and Johnny’s career. Johnny’s team has forced Amber to give a statement to the LAPD to set the record straight as to the true facts, as she cannot continue to leave herself open to the vicious false and malicious allegations that have infected the media.”

The statement continued, “Amber has suffered through years of physical and psychological abuse at the hands of Johnny. In domestic violence cases, it’s not unusual for the perpetrator’s playbook to include miscasting the victim as the villain.”

Her attorneys said she acted no differently than many other victims of abuse, who first think of the harm that might come to the abuser.

“Amber can no longer endure the relentless attacks and outright lies launched against her character in the Court of Public Opinion since the tragic events of May 21st,” the statement added.

“With her statement, Amber hopes to give the LAPD the opportunity to conduct an accurate and complete investigation into the events of that evening and before. If that occurs, and the truth is revealed, there is no doubt that Amber’s claims will be substantiated beyond any doubt, and hopefully Johnny will get the help that he so desperately needs,” the statement said.

A spokesperson for the police previously told PEOPLE they found no evidence of a crime when police responded to the scene, but that the apartment was in “disarray” and police noted her physical injuries.

Heard filed for divorce on May 22.