According to RAINN, an American is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds. If that sounds like a lot, it's because it is. In the midst of a rash of sexual assault and harassment allegations taking over Hollywood, this week survivors are taking to social media to show how prevalent, and close to home, the problem really is.
Tarana Burke started a social media movement ten years ago that this week had all the world talking.
https://t.co/YvLPUdfahl #metoo 📹:XB 2014 March Against Rape Culture Philadelphia, PA https://t.co/fvb6iovJ8q— Tarana (@Tarana)1508109922.0
It really took off this week when celebrity Alyssa Milano tweeted about it.
If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet. https://t.co/k2oeCiUf9n— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa Milano)1508098871.0
And she herself even took part.
Me too.— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa Milano)1508100325.0
Anna Paquin also tweeted "me too" in response.
@Alyssa_Milano Me too— Anna Paquin (@Anna Paquin)1508099261.0
Debra Messing also joined in.
Me too https://t.co/ScX67Kmmiy— Debra Messing✍🏻 (@Debra Messing✍🏻)1508101050.0
Even men came forward.
@Alyssa_Milano Me too. I don’t know if means anything coming from a gay man but it’s happened. Multiple times.— Javier Muñoz (@Javier Muñoz)1508101130.0
Some went into more detail and it was horrifying.
@Alyssa_Milano As a sixth grader, a group of boys held me against a wall as they pulled up my shirt to "see if I st… https://t.co/vzHfrgFMT5— JustCate (@JustCate)1508099332.0
They're also rarely punished as they should be.
@Alyssa_Milano The boys barely got a slap on the wrist but I was socially ostracized because I "couldn't take a joke."— JustCate (@JustCate)1508099370.0
Women pointed out how harassment is so common, it feels like getting off easy.
@Alyssa_Milano Me too. Harassed, several times. Like *every* woman I know. Women who've "only" been harassed, not… https://t.co/dYw1ZhKHly— Jyn Erso 🇺🇸 (@Jyn Erso 🇺🇸)1508102834.0
Burke was proud to see her creation making such waves.
It made my heart swell to see women using this idea - one that we call ‘empowerment through empathy’ #metoo— Tarana (@Tarana)1508109535.0
"Me too" is just the first step.
It’s beyond a hashtag. It’s the start of a larger conversation and a movement for radical community healing. Join us. #metoo— Tarana (@Tarana)1508109721.0