Actor Kristen Bell has received backlash for a controversial anniversary post to her husband Dax Shepard, which appears to make light of domestic violence.
“Happy 12th wedding anniversary to the man who once said to me: ‘I would never kill you. A lot of men have killed their wives at a certain point. Even though I’m heavily incentivised to kill you, I never would,” Bell’s post reads, alongside an image of herself and Shepard hugging.
Posted during domestic violence awareness month in the US, national advocacy groups have responded to the post’s tone-deaf nature, saying domestic violence is not a joke.
“There’s nothing funny about domestic violence ‘jokes’ that trivialize the very real fear, trauma and pain that millions of victims and survivors face each day,” a rep for the National Network to End Domestic Violence told Page Six in a statement.
“Especially during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we all have a responsibility to support victims and survivors, to invest in proven solutions and to speak about this issue with the seriousness it deserves.”
While the post received many comments calling out the dangerous nature of Bell’s caption, one in particular came from the well-known investigative journalism TV series, Dateline, which frequently covers true crime stories.
“Screenshotted,” Dateline wrote on Bell’s post.
Another commenter wrote: “Just another tone deaf celebrity who makes light of women who are killed by their partners every single day.”
In the wake of the post’s backlash, Bell, 45, canceled a scheduled appearance on the Today show, amid promoting the second season of her Netflix series, Nobody Wants This.
Bell appeared again in public this week when she attended the red carpet for a screening of the show and a Q&A session in New York City.
Bell has yet to respond to the post’s backlash.
In the US, an average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner, which is more than 12 million women and men over the course of a single year.
In Australia, on average, one woman is killed every 9 days by a current or former partner.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via 1800RESPECT.org.au or text 0458 737 732.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au.
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In an emergency, call 000.