Nicole Kidman: Hollywood Probably Has Contributed To Violence Against Women

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Nicole Kidman speaks during the ‘International Violence Against Women: Stories and Solutions’ hearing at Rayburn House Office Building on October 21, 2009 in Washington, DC.
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Nicole Kidman visits the Omega store on October 07, 2009 in New York City
Nicole Kidman is all smiles at the 4th Important Dinner for Women in New York City on September 23, 2009
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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban attend the Roger Federer vs Tommy Robredo match during day eight of the 2009 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2009

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FIRST PUBLISHED: October 21, 2009 11:38 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: October 22, 2009 9:45 AM EDT

WASHINGTON, D.C. --

Nicole Kidman conceded Wednesday that Hollywood has probably contributed to violence against women by portraying them as weak sex objects.

The Oscar-winning actress said she is not interested in those kinds of demeaning roles, adding that the movie industry also has made an effort to contribute to solutions for ending the violence.

Kidman testified before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee that is considering legislation to address violence against women overseas through humanitarian relief efforts and grants to local organizations working on the problem.

Asked by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., if the movie industry has “played a bad role,” Kidman said “probably,” but quickly added that she herself doesn’t.

“I can’t be responsible for all of Hollywood but I can certainly be responsible for my own career,” she said.

Kidman appeared before the committee in her role as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Development Fund for Women, known as UNIFEM, to promote the International Violence Against Women Act.

“In the real world, the laws go unenforced and impunity is the norm,” she said.

The legislation has stalled in the past, but a sponsor, Rep. Bill Delahunt, D-Mass., said he and others plan to reintroduce it soon.

The Australian star told Congress that the U.N. women’s fund needs more resources. “We need the money,” she said.

Before the hearing began, a crowd of people lined the hall and around the corner to hear her speak.

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