In the days since The New York Times published a report detailing sexual misconduct allegations against Harvey Weinstein, women and men everywhere have begun to share their own stories of being sexually abused.
The hashtag #MeToo is currently trending on Twitter and it illustrates just how widespread the problem is and how many people's lives have been affected by sexual violence.
The "Me Too" Twitter moment is an excellent opportunity to come together with other survivors and let them know they're not alone and they have nothing to be ashamed of.
If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet. pic.twitter.com/k2oeCiUf9n
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 15, 2017
In the hours since the hashtag launched, thousands of people have posted. Some have simply tweeted "#MeToo" and others have elaborated on the details of their experiences and the number of times they've been victimised.
The tweets show that people of all ages, genders, backgrounds and sexual orientations are vulnerable to sexual violence.
Me too. And the police interview a few months later (without my request) was even more humiliating and traumatizing.
— Claire zoe (@Clairezoe5) October 15, 2017
Im not a woman but "me too" when I was a kid. I was just told its par for the course in the coal region& 2accept it. So many pigs on the DL.
— Gare-Bear (@Pincho73) October 15, 2017
Me too. Harassed, several times.
— Jyn Erso 2017 🇵🇷 (@JynErso_2017) October 15, 2017
Like *every* woman I know.
Women who've "only" been harassed, not assaulted, consider ourselves lucky. 😕
Sexual harassment by powerful men is a systemic problem in the workplace for less powerful gay men. #MeToo
— Mike Gibbs 🦉 (@Mikeggibbs) October 15, 2017
As a child, I woke one night to see the younger of our two male house guests sitting on the side of my bed. The memory stops there. #MeToo
— Julia Fuller (@Arshwa1) October 15, 2017
I'm a man, but #MeToo
— Brandon🖕🏼 Page (@B_Rocka) October 15, 2017
Impt takeaway of #MeToo and #WomenWhoRoar is sexual assault/abuse is NOT just actresses w/dreams or billionaire Trumps but Every. Day. Life.
— Katherine Fugate (@katherinefugate) October 15, 2017
Tweeting "#MeToo" is important, but it's more than OK if you're not ready to open up about your experience. Speak up when you're ready; there is no "right" or "wrong" decision when it comes to sharing that you've been victimised.
To those sharing.Thank you. To those who are unable to. It's okay. Youre not the shame, guilt or fear. You didn't deserve any of it. #MeToo
— Lecia (@Lestiina) October 15, 2017
There is strength in numbers and, as Amber Tamblyn wrote in a powerful New York Times op-ed last month, "We are learning that the more we open our mouths, the more we become a choir. And the more we are a choir, the more the tune is forced to change."
Fighting the stigma faced by sexual violence survivors is a crucial step in forcing the change referenced by Tamblyn. The "#MeToo" hashtag shows that more and more people are ready to share their stories and change the dialogue surrounding sexual violence.
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