Teen's lip-syncing video takes dark turn: 'Don't ignore the signs'

Justin Chan
Updated

A teenager's TikTok video has gone viral — and sparked debate — for bringing attention to domestic violence through the use of makeup, the BBC reports.

The 16-year-old girl, who goes by Amber on the social media platform, is seen lip-syncing to Lily Allen's 2009 song "Not Fair" as she covers her face with makeup designed to look like bruises. The video's caption reads, "Your friend is trying to convince you the bruises you spotted aren’t from her boyfriend."

As of Monday afternoon, the video, which was posted on Dec. 29, has received over 1.8 million views and over 205,000 comments.

The teenager told the BBC that she was inspired to create the video after learning that a family friend had experienced abuse.

"The message of the video is don't ignore the signs of domestic abuse," she said. "If you have the slightest concern, bring it up with the person."

"I feel domestic abuse is something that should have more awareness," she added.

The response to Amber's video, which has spurred other similar clips, has been mixed.

"Thank you for doing this," one person wrote. "I'm a survivor managed to get away 2017."

"Amazing video," another said. "It's so upsetting so many girls have to go through things like this."

Others questioned whether TikTok was the appropriate platform to shed light on the issue.

"This ... is not the right way to raise awareness," one person wrote.

In response to the reactions, Amber attempted to explain herself to fellow TikTok users.

"I did not expect this to blow up and is not intended to trigger or [bring] back memories for survivors but more raise awareness about warning signs," she wrote.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, approximately 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner. About 1 in 4 women experience severe physical violence from a partner, sexual violence or the contraction of sexually transmitted diseases. Women between the ages of 18 and 24 are the most likely to be abused.