Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistorySexual Assault StatisticsImpactWhat’s Next for #MeToo?FAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
History
Sexual Assault Statistics
Impact
What’s Next for #MeToo?
FAQ
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, contact theRAINN National Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1-800-656-4673 to receive confidential support from a trained staff member at a local RAINN affiliate.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, contact theRAINN National Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1-800-656-4673 to receive confidential support from a trained staff member at a local RAINN affiliate.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you use social media, you’ve probably seen the hashtag #MeToo on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other sites. What started out as a way for survivors ofsexual harassment,sexual assault, and sexual bullying to bond and share their stories has become a global movement that has sparked significant changes, both social and legal.
What’s more, the movement has allowed survivors to feel supported while simultaneously initiating a national—and worldwide—conversation about the widespread issues surrounding harassment, assault, and the changes that need to be made.
Timemagazine named Burke as their Person of the Year for 2017, and she’s earned theRidenhour Prize for Courage. Today, as senior director atGirls for Gender Equityin Brooklyn, Burke speaks at events across the country.
In 2017, the New YorkTimespublished an articleaccusing Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment. Actors Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan were fearlessly vocal about Weinstein’s actions, which empowered many others to share their stories.
In the meantime, actor Alyssa Milano embraced the #MeToo hashtag across her social media. She’d been unaware of the phrase’s origins and how quickly it would catch on, thinking of it as a simple way to create awareness, find support, and build a community of survivors.
What Is Slut-Shaming?
Sexual Harassment and Assault Statistics
Although the #MeToo movement has accomplished a great deal in little time, some advocates aren’t as optimistic about the successes. The issue is still on the public’s radar, butsexual assault continues.It’s particularly insidious for people who are transgender, Native American women, college students,members of the military, and people of color. Women remain at a higher risk for sexual assault than men.
Harassment and assault can be devastating, often leading to substance use, suicide, psychiatric disorders such as PTSD, and other negative outcomes.
Military Sexual Trauma Leaves Lasting Scars
After Milano’s tweet, Twitter users posted the hashtag almost a million times within two days, according to Twitter. The movement spilled over to Facebook, too, where about 4.7 million users shared 12 million posts in fewer than 24 hours. Years later, people continue to share their stories with the hashtag #MeToo across social media platforms.
Understanding PTSD After Sexual Assault
The response was especially meaningful for people who worked with survivors of sexual assault and harassment on a daily basis, Finally, the issue they had been working tirelessly to address was gaining traction and garnering worldwide attention. The local grassroots effort Burke spearheaded had now expanded to reach a community of survivors from all walks of life.
In the wake of these disclosures, many prominent people in entertainment, sports, and politics have been exposed for sexually harassing or assaulting others.
Thus, the silence surrounding sexual harassment and assault is being broken. Many are now open to and passionate about discussing the issues. The #MeToo movement has prompted sweeping changes, such as:
Mental Health Effects of Different Types of Abuse
Although positive change continues, much work remains to be done.
For example, survivors of sexual assault and harassment still endurevictim-blaming, not to mention the threat of retaliation for speaking up.People need education on how perpetrators set up situations to their advantage, sometimes groom their victims, and often get away with harassment and assault.
How to Heal From Sexual Harassment at Work
Summary
Today, the phrase #MeToo is still a sign of solidarity for victims of sexual harassment and assault. Tweets, Facebook posts, and Instagram posts featuring the hashtag #MeToo still appear daily—evidence that the #MeToo movement has created awareness and a community of support.
Still, there is so much to be addressed, from changes in federal laws to real safety for survivors who speak up. Society might never be completely rid of this scourge, but efforts continue to uncover such crimes, encourage reporting without retribution, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked QuestionsNew York City women’s advocate Tarana Burke first used the phrase “Me Too” in 2006. Her goal was to empower victims of sexual violence and harassment.As awareness continues to build, many companies have enacted anti-harassment policies for their employees. Social pressure also has resulted in a cultural shift that has stigmatized sexually inappropriate behavior at work.Tarana Burke, an advocate for women in New York, first used the phrase “Me Too” in 2006 to draw attention to the problem, in 2017, actor Alyssa Milano’s tweet encouraging followers to use the #MeToo hashtag went viral, resulting in widespread exposure and adoption across social media.
New York City women’s advocate Tarana Burke first used the phrase “Me Too” in 2006. Her goal was to empower victims of sexual violence and harassment.
As awareness continues to build, many companies have enacted anti-harassment policies for their employees. Social pressure also has resulted in a cultural shift that has stigmatized sexually inappropriate behavior at work.
Tarana Burke, an advocate for women in New York, first used the phrase “Me Too” in 2006 to draw attention to the problem, in 2017, actor Alyssa Milano’s tweet encouraging followers to use the #MeToo hashtag went viral, resulting in widespread exposure and adoption across social media.
How to Heal From Trauma
4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stop Street Harassment.2018 Study on Sexual Harassment and Assault.Association of American Universities.Report on the AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct.Maniglio R.The impact of child sexual abuse on health: A systematic review of reviews.Clin Psychol Rev. 2009;29(7):647-657. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2009.08.003Gravelin CR, Biernat M, Bucher CE.Blaming the victim of acquaintance rape: Individual, situational, and sociocultural factors.Front Psychol. 2019;9:2422. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02422
4 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stop Street Harassment.2018 Study on Sexual Harassment and Assault.Association of American Universities.Report on the AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct.Maniglio R.The impact of child sexual abuse on health: A systematic review of reviews.Clin Psychol Rev. 2009;29(7):647-657. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2009.08.003Gravelin CR, Biernat M, Bucher CE.Blaming the victim of acquaintance rape: Individual, situational, and sociocultural factors.Front Psychol. 2019;9:2422. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02422
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Stop Street Harassment.2018 Study on Sexual Harassment and Assault.Association of American Universities.Report on the AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct.Maniglio R.The impact of child sexual abuse on health: A systematic review of reviews.Clin Psychol Rev. 2009;29(7):647-657. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2009.08.003Gravelin CR, Biernat M, Bucher CE.Blaming the victim of acquaintance rape: Individual, situational, and sociocultural factors.Front Psychol. 2019;9:2422. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02422
Stop Street Harassment.2018 Study on Sexual Harassment and Assault.
Association of American Universities.Report on the AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct.
Maniglio R.The impact of child sexual abuse on health: A systematic review of reviews.Clin Psychol Rev. 2009;29(7):647-657. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2009.08.003
Gravelin CR, Biernat M, Bucher CE.Blaming the victim of acquaintance rape: Individual, situational, and sociocultural factors.Front Psychol. 2019;9:2422. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02422
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