Victims unite against harassment in rising #MeToo campaign

Campaign started after Harvey Weinstein's allegations came to life

The words "Me too" have been trending all over social media outlets; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram amongst others. This latest campaign is to show solidarity and support towards those who have been sexually assaulted or harassed.

The movement comes in days after Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was accused of rape and sexual assault. The board of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has voted overwhelmingly to expel Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein after the powerful media mogul was accused of sexual abuse and physical assault during the course of his career.



Weinstein, who was fired by the movie and television studio he co-founded, the Weinstein Company, has denied rape allegations while acknowledging that his behaviour caused a lot of pain.

The Weinstein scandal came to light in early October, when The New York Times and The New Yorker magazine revealed the history of sexual harassment perpetrated for decades by one of the best-known and most powerful producers in Hollywood.

The list of actresses and models who suffered sexual abuse from Weinstein continues to grow and now numbers around 40. And in response to these allegations and the subsequent struggle of women in all realms of careers, the "Me too" social media campaign aims to encourage women to speak out against their own experiences as well.

https://twitter.com/Alyssa_Milano/status/919665538393083904

Initiated by American actress Alyssa Milano who quoted a friend and started the string of "Me too"(s); men, women and trans people alike have taken the stage to speak out against the harassment they have endured. The topic of sexual harassment and abuse has been on the rise with Ben Affleck also apologising to Hilarie Burton of One Tree Hill for misbehaving with her in 2003.

People who have faced sexual harassment or abuse rarely publicly discuss their experiences, but this campaign has removed the stigma attached to such discussions and has opened the floor for productive debate. Following the Weinstein scandal, many celebrities have opened up and owned up to their experiences.

Me, too #MeToo

— Anika Noni Rose (@AnikaNoniRose) October 15, 2017

https://twitter.com/DebraMessing/status/919668578357452800

Me too

— Anna Paquin (@AnnaPaquin) October 15, 2017

Me too. I don’t know if means anything coming from a gay man but it’s happened. Multiple times.

— Javier Muñoz (@JMunozActor) October 15, 2017

FIRST time I was sexually assaulted I was a 6th grade crossing guard. Man pulled up and exposed himself to me. The fear was real #MeToo

— Kim Weaver (@KimWeaverIA) October 15, 2017

https://twitter.com/jeramiedreyfuss/status/919717080521367557

Let me just cut to the chase with the #metoo trend. Dear men, nearly every woman you know has been sexually assaulted or harassed.

— Shannon Stirone💀 (@shannonmstirone) October 16, 2017

This is how we roared today: we spoke our truth. @Twitter this is power of women.
STOP online harassment or lose us!#WomenWhoRoar #MeToo

— Amy Siskind 🏳️‍🌈 (@Amy_Siskind) October 15, 2017

https://twitter.com/Femmefeministe/status/919746707524550656



Sexual harassment and assault are problems ingrained in our society, behaviour like this has been normalised to the extent that women aren't even aware that they're being harassed; whether that means being catcalled on the street, or being physically assaulted. Constructive debates such at these may lead to more exposure and awareness in people, encouraging them realise, acknowledge and stand against harassment, whether it is for themselves or others they know.