Evan Rachel Wood joins #IAmNotOk movement, shares powerful story of domestic abuse
Warning: Please advised that some of these posts and photos may be triggering for domestic violence survivors.
In just a few hours, actress Evan Rachel Wood has really helped to get a movement off the ground, reminiscent of the #MeToo phenomenon from more than a year ago.
After sharing what looked to be glamorous photos from a shoot a few years back, Wood captioned them, "The day of this photoshoot, I was so weakened by an abusive relationship. I was emaciated, severely depressed, and could barely stand. I fell into a pool of tears and was sent home for the day. #IAmNotOk."
She then shared another pic, not so glamorous, but instead downright heartbreaking.
"2 years into my abusive relationship I resorted to self harm. When my abuser would threaten or attack me, I cut my wrist as a way to disarm him. It only made the abuse stop temporarily. At that point I was desperate to stop the abuse and I was too terrified to leave. #IAmNotOk," she added, next to a photo that shows signs of self cutting.
Wood's troubling story is part of a new movement, #IAmNotOk, where victims of domestic violence share their stories in hopes of healing and knowing that "It's OK not to be OK," according to a Twitter account for the cause.
After Wood's pics gained traction, the #IAmNotOk tag has caught fire, inspiring several activists and artists to speak up, and thousands of others to share their stories of abusive relationships.
Both survivors of abuse and those trying to be an ally and stand up for what's right have taken to social media to share their concerns. Wood has also been very active in retweeting those either thanking her for her honesty or sharing their own stories.
Victims wrote gut-wrenching things like, "I'm still damaged from my emotionally abusive relationship" and "took me 25 years to finally be ok with sharing the story of my abuse. I hope that others can look up to you as I have and start to heal."
Others like Linda Perry and actor Mehcad Brooks also spoke out, supporting this movement as well as survivors of abuse.
The organization, A Call to Men, also commented with, "We support all survivors of domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence. We hear you. We believe you. And we are working to create a world where all men and boys are loving and respectful and all women and girls are valued and safe. #IAmNotOk #HealthyManhood."
Designer Ally Hilfiger used the platform to bring up the current statute of limitations for domestic violence survivors.
This isn't the first time Wood has opened up about her past, including bouts with mental illness, in order to help others possibly going through similar situations.
"Because we can't see depression, it's easier to write off. It's easier for people to put a negative stereotype on you," she wrote in a column for Nylon magazine.
"When I was 22, I willingly checked myself into a psychiatric hospital, and I have absolutely no shame about it," she added. "Looking back, it was the worst, best thing that ever happened to me."
For anonymous, confidential 24/7 help on domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). If you've had thoughts of suicide or self-harm or know someone who is in crisis, or if you just need to talk to someone, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.
