Johnny Depp Apologizes for his Inappropriate use of the Word Rape

Johnny Depp's Vanity Fair
November 2011 Cover

Actor Johnny Depp created a media firestorm this month when he compared enduring a photo shoot to being raped, in an interview in Vanity Fair. But within hours of being called out for his comments by RAINN, he acknowledged his misstep and emailed RAINN a heartfelt apology.

“Well, you just feel like you’re being raped somehow. Raped. The whole thing. It feels like a kind of weird — just weird,” Depp told Vanity Fair. RAINN spokesperson Katherine Hull quickly responded to Depp’s unfortunate comparison, noting, “While photos may feel at times intrusive, being photographed in no way compares to rape — a violent crime which affects another American every two minutes.”

Soon thereafter, Depp emailed an apology to RAINN, saying, “I understand there is no comparison and I am very regretful. In an effort to correct my lack of judgment, please accept my heartfelt apology.” Hull quickly accepted, noting that “RAINN appreciates and accepts Johnny Depp's heartfelt apology. We hope to work with him to provide hope to victims of rape and make sure they get the help they deserve.”

Read the entire article here.

“He's not the first and he probably won't be the last celebrity to off-handedly equate mildly unpleasant experiences to that of being raped, but this morning, Johnny Depp wasted no time in offering up an apology for some less than sensitive remarks he made to Vanity Fair in which he likened the plight of being a much-photographed celebrity to that of a victim of a horrific violation. So how did Johnny's otherwise sensitive soul spring into action? By offering up a sincere letter of apology to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.”

— E! Online reports on Johnny Depp’s remark, and subsequent apology to RAINN.

“Johnny Depp has never enjoyed photo shoots. But comparing them to violent sexual assault was perceived by some as a bit insensitive… According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, Depp ought to know there is a marked distinction between posing for a photographer and being raped... Depp's remarks were similar to those made by Twilight actress Kristen Stewart last year when she compared being photographed by paparazzi to being raped. She also apologized.”

— FoxNews.com's Hollie McKay on RAINN’s ongoing dialogue with celebrities about the seriousness and significance of rape.

“The Pirates of the Caribbean star apologized Wednesday for his questionable decision to compare photo shoots to rape in an interview with Vanity Fair… Katherine Hull, a spokesperson for the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), told Fox: ‘While photos may feel at times intrusive, being photographed in no way compares to rape — a violent crime which affects another American every two minutes.’”

— RAINN emphasizes some of the staggering statistics about rape in its response to Johnny Depp’s comments, as highlighted in Reuters.

“Katherine Hull, spokesperson for RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), is happy to hear the news. ‘RAINN appreciates and accepts Johnny Depp's heartfelt apology,’ she says. ‘We hope to work with him to provide hope to victims of rape and make sure they get the help they deserve.’”

— USA Today, on RAINN’s acceptance of Johnny Depp’s apology and its ongoing work to help survivors recover.

Support RAINN on November 9 during Give to the Max Day, a joint campaign by hundreds of DC-area nonprofits to raise more than $3 million in just 24 hours.

Your $10 donation to RAINN will provide help to one survivor through the National Sexual Assault Hotline. If RAINN raises the most amount of money or garners the most donors throughout the day, RAINN’s programs will win an additional $25,000.

You can donate through the Give to the Max site on November 9 (or donate any time on RAINN’s site).

Destiny
Rael

“I feel honored to be a part of the RAINN Speakers Bureau because not only does it allow me to heal each and every time in a new way by sharing my own story, but it is also validating to know I am helping raise awareness, educate and encourage others to lift their voice. I hope I empower others to Say Something, Tell Someone or Do Something! It's life changing! .”

Learn more about becoming a member of RAINN's Speakers Bureau

Lauren
Jones

“To realize the true appreciation that users of the Online Hotline have is an incredible feeling. I didn't anticipate the brief, yet deep relationships that form between volunteers and users/victims. After my first and highly intense session, the difference the Online Hotline was making in someone's life hit me.”

Learn more about volunteering for RAINN

Rep. Henry
Waxman
(D-CA)

“Victims of rape and sexual assault are at much greater risk of depression, substance abuse, and suicide. It’s essential that that survivors of sexual violence have access to counseling and support services to help them cope with such a traumatic event, and I applaud RAINN’s efforts to ensure victims in need have a place they can turn to for support and treatment.”
— Rep. Henry Waxman
(D-CA)

Rep.
Tom Rooney
(R-FL)

“As a former prosecutor, I’m proud to work with RAINN to ensure law enforcement officials have the tools they need to fight sexual assault and pursue justice for victims. Passing the SAFER Act is critical to processing DNA evidence accurately and efficiently and putting criminals behind bars.”
— Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL)

Most female victims are raped by someone they know.

Source: Dept. of Justice, National Crime Victimization Survey 2010

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