Thousands Of Sexual Assault Survivors Are Tweeting #MeToo To Highlight The Scale Of The Problem
It's overwhelming.
The following article discusses sexual assault.
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The Harvey Weinstein scandal has been an almost unprecedented window into the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault in Hollywood. With almost every passing day, more and more survivors have come forward to share their experiences.
Now, sexual assault survivors are tweeting #MeToo in a powerful campaign to highlight the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault more generally. In just a few hours, it’s begun trending worldwide. We knew already knew the problem was huge, but to see the numbers flood in like this is overwhelming and absolutely devastating.
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
The flood of tweets began after actress Alyssa Milano tweeted asking people who have been sexually harassed or assaulted to reply to the tweet with “me too” in an attempt to show the magnitude of the problem. In just a few hours, the tweet has amassed 22,000 replies, ranging from a simple “me too” to people sharing their stories, solidarity and advice.
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
Me too. Harassed, several times.
Like *every* woman I know.
Women who've "only" been harassed, not assaulted, consider ourselves lucky. ?
— Jyn Erso 2017 ?? (@JynErso_2017) October 15, 2017
Best Thing: Finding out we are not alone and have all dealt with this
Worst Thing: Finding out we have all dealt with this#MeToo
— Bindas Ladki (@bindasladki) October 16, 2017
To anyone saying the “#MeToo” tweets are attention seeking, you are the reason women are afraid to speak up after being sexually assaulted.
— Hannah Suydam (@HannahSuydam) October 16, 2017
My rapist went free because I fought back and injured him. I was "lucky" he didn't press charges. #MeToo https://t.co/PkgEjp9Buh
— Samantha ? (@samanthaaness) October 16, 2017
Being raped once made it easier to be raped again. I instinctually shut down. My body remembered, so it protected me.
I disappeared. #metoo— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) October 16, 2017
The hardest thing is that all these tweets are just further evidence of a problem we already knew about. There’s no shortage of information about how widespread sexual harassment and assault are. This year, we’ve already seen a landmark report about the prevalence of rape at Australian universities, which experts nonetheless said probably understated the problem. Survivors have been coming forward with stories for years.
And yet despite all this evidence, stories of sexual assault keep surfacing, on an exhausting scale. People are expressing sadness that they have to share their trauma on this scale to have even a chance of being taken seriously, and rightly so. It’s brave, and exhausting, and should be unnecessary.
Seeing #MeToo trend is heartbreaking.
Also I hate that it takes sharing our trauma to have a CHANCE at this issue being taken seriously.
— Samra Ward (@SamrAbility) October 16, 2017
To all the women sharing stories of sexual assault and sexual harassment, thank you for your bravery to speak up. You are not alone. #MeToo
— Women's March (@womensmarch) October 15, 2017
For those carrying their #MeToo with them silently, you are loved, cherished, and believed. You do not owe your story to anyone.
— Grace Starling (@GraceStarling4) October 16, 2017
The sheer volume of people sharing their experiences here is sobering. We can only hope the people who really need to be sobered by this see it, and do something about it.
#MeToo is devastating to read
•it is NOT ur fault
•the problem wasn’t what u were wearing
•u are brave
•may u find the peace u deserve— asap wania (@marijuwania) October 16, 2017
Know what makes me angry? That my 1st thought about this movement was, "But isn't that *all* of us?" & my 2nd was "Which time?" #MeToo
— Jennifer Hodges (@KresyTalk) October 16, 2017
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If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
The National University Support Line also offers 24/7 free trauma counselling, at 1800 572 224.
Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.