Social media has exploded with interest in the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial. At its surface it may seem simply like celebrity news or just an interesting trial to follow, but there could be more impactful effects.

The CEO of the YWCA Mohawk Valley said one in four men will experience domestic or sexual assault in their lifetime.

YWCA Mohawk Valley CEO Dianne Stancato is grateful to serve the community as the YWCA works to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

“Every single day we help people,” said Stancato. “That motivates me because when you work at something where you can actually affect change in the world, I think that that brings goodness to your soul.”

They also offer free services to help victims of domestic and sexual assault — issues being spotlighted in the defamation lawsuit brought by Johnny Depp against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

Stancato isn’t a fan of the trial being live-streamed and airing out the couple’s business, but she says a silver lining to the trial gaining so much attention is it is raising awareness of domestic and sexual assault affecting not just women, but also men.

“This trial, as ugly as it is, is really shining a tractor beam light on the fact that males can be victims too, and that sometimes these relationships are ugly on both sides,” Stancato said.

While many men are victims, Stancato said they often don’t come forward but she says they should.

“It’s something men don’t necessarily talk about because of the societal norms around males being masculine, and, ‘Come on. It couldn’t have been that bad, right?’, if they come forward and talk about it something with their friends or anyone, and it becomes something they carry around silently until it’s a crisis. Then they reach out for help,” she said.

Stancato said the YWCA Mohawk Valley has helped male victims of domestic and sexual assault, and they will continue to.

“We will help you. We have free services for all,” she said.

Stancato said it’s important we create safe spaces for men to come forward.

The YWCA Mohawk Valley’s 24-hour, free and confidential hotline is (315) 797-7740. The Herkimer County hotline is (315) 866-4120.