Nicole Kidman Pens Letter On Women's Abuse Worldwide For Porter Magazine Winter 2017

'Big Little Lies' Emmy winner Nicole Kidman joins the winter 2017 issue of PORTER magazine, sharing the 'Incredible Women' editorial spotlight as one of four women who pen letters for the magazine's winter edition.

Kidman, who played a lawyer and abused wife Celeste Wright in the HBO series, has worked as a United Nations ambassador for two decades. In her role with the UN's Development Fund for Women, testifying before the United States House of Representatives Committee in 2009 to protest Hollywood’s portrayal of women as sex objects and to support the passing of the  International Violence Against Women Act.

The letter read in part, “My feminist roots have also led me to UN Women and my work as its Goodwill Ambassador. It is in this role that I come to fully understand the barriers that women around the world are facing. I have focused on lending my voice to women who are survivors of violence. The stories I have heard from them have shaken me to the core and changed me forever.”

Kidman continued, “First and foremost because of the suffering and abuse the women who spoke to me endured and because I am aware of the devastating fact that one in three women and girls globally will be subjected to violence. But very much also because of their resilience. And because I saw firsthand how crucial the support of others was for them to be able to reclaim their lives.”

"It is a complicated, insidious disease,' she said as she picked up her award for outstanding lead actress in a limited series or movie. 'It exists far more than we allow ourselves to know.

'It is filled with shame and secrecy. And by you acknowledging me with this award, it shines a light on it even more."

Kidman concludes her letter by writing, “….More than ever, I am aware of the need to support and celebrate each other. I like to believe that I am part of a global network of 3.5 billion — half of humanity — who stand up for the rights of every human being to live a life free from discrimination, injustice, and violence…imagine: if you can fall back on 3.5. billion sisters, and the many good men who are with us, what could be possibly not achieve? It’s a thought that I carry with me wherever I go and try to be true to. Join me?”

As a victim of significant physical and emotional child abuse, and then terrorizing spousal abuse, I know how important Kidman's words are. Thank you Porter Magazine for highlighting the issue of women's abuse worldwide. ~ Anne

If you are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotlineat 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224 for confidential support.