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#MeToo: Women and men flood social media with stories of sexual abuse

People globally are sharing sexual abuse stories with #MeToo, and it's making us sad and angry. The #MeToo movement has become a rallying cry on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook for people - both men and women - to take a stand against sexual harassment, abuse and assault.

#MeToo, me too trend, me too sexual harassment, me too twitter, Harvey Weinstein, Alyssa Milano

Charmed actor Alyssa Milano tweeted, “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet.” The hashtag #MeToo has now become a global social media movement against sexual harassment. (Source: Thinkstock Images)

In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal that has been dominating headlines globally, there is a social media movement that is calling out to those who have been sexually abused to speak out – in two simple words: Me too. The American film producer has been accused of sexual harassment by many A-list female actors in Hollywood, causing others to come out and share their experiences as well. So much so that Oscars board removed Weinstein from its panel.

On Sunday, Charmed actor Alyssa Milano tweeted a note saying, “Suggested by a friend: If all the women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted wrote “Me too” as a status, we might give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem.” Along with the tweet, she added, “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet.” This opened a floodgate of response that has now spread across the world. Not only did celebrities respond to her tweet, but women and men from around the world are joining in.

The #MeToo movement has become a rallying cry on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook for people – both men and women – to take a stand against sexual harassment, abuse and assault.

This is Alyssa Milano’s tweet that started it all.

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) 15 October 2017

Soon thousands joined in with their personal stories. At the time of writing, the hashtag had more than 200,000 tweets. While some talked about being groped on the bus or on a busy street, other spoke up about being sexually abused by family members and ‘friends’. Here are some of the stories being shared.

#MeToo

And I was blamed for it.
I was told not to talk about it.
I was told that it wasn’t that bad.
I was told to get over it.

— Najwa Zebian (@najwazebian) 16 October 2017

It can happen to anybody.

Men. People of colour. People in the LGBT+ community. The homeless.

It should happen to nobody.#MeToo

— Jessica Letts (@4MagikarpetRide) 16 October 2017

i am not a victim, i am a survivor. #MeToo pic.twitter.com/leEipBgq6H

— ?? (@zzzblei) 16 October 2017

No, the girl wasn’t slutty
No, the skirt wasn’t provocative
No, the girl wasn’t flirting
The Girl wasn’t the problem, society is#MeToo

— Swift Space (@theswiftspace) 16 October 2017

To every man “shocked” by all of us posting #MeToo –

We’ve been telling you for years.
You didn’t want to listen.

Do you hear us now?

— Kelli Butler (@TheOperaGeek) 16 October 2017

I was raped when I was 14 and I’ve told no one about it because I’m a man and she’s a woman and no one would’ve taken me seriously. #MeToo

— Geisterwand (@Geisterwand) 16 October 2017

For those of you who’ve been raped, sexually assaulted, or sexually harassed, you are not alone & if you ever need to talk I am here #MeToo

— ????????? (@nadialuzrivera) 16 October 2017

Because when I reported mine, the policewoman told me she wouldn’t report a rape if it had happened to her. We NEED to do better. #MeToo

— kirsten (@kirstsolo) October 16, 2017

My first ‘cousin’ got drunk & insisted that I sleep next to him on a single mattress cuz we barely meet and we should be bonding #MeToo

— Aishwarya Thakur (@Ayesoreya) October 16, 2017

Crying means no.
Being drunk doesn’t mean yes.
Because you’re in a relationship doesn’t mean ‘yes’ for your partner.
No is no. #metoo

— Levi Myers Kruger~ 8 (@LeviTationofDam) October 16, 2017
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There were those who felt overwhelmed by the stories being shared.

#MeToo is breaking my heart tonight. The pain so many have shared is devastating. Unfortunately, I’m not surprised. Just heartbroken.

— Shelby Hall (@MissShelbyGail) 16 October 2017

I have never seen anything so amazing as what we started today with #MeToo. This is the beginning of a revolution. Strength and compassion.

— Amy Siskind (@Amy_Siskind) 16 October 2017

The fact that #MeToo is trending shows the strength of women. It’s hard for me to even imagine. Things have to change. Men have to change.

— Jesse Ward (@tsartiger) 16 October 2017

Men: if #MeToo doesn’t have you frantically searching your memory and thinking “Did I?”, you’re either inexperienced or The Problem.

— Andy Goss (@CSSDuke) 16 October 2017

Behind every #MeToo is a man that was told that what he did was ok. It ‘boys will be boys’. They received a promotion instead of a sentence.

— Panayiota Bertzikis (@panayiotab) October 16, 2017

Men,

Don’t say you have a mother, a sister, a daughter…

Say you have a father, a brother, a son who can do better.

We all can.#MeToo

— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) October 16, 2017

Guys, if all that #MeToo stuff shocks you, do a check on how you perpetuate sexism & belief women are less.

— Rav Danya Ruttenberg (@TheRaDR) October 16, 2017

To every single one of you tweeting #metoo I am so sorry. I’ve never had to live or carry that pain but know that you are strong We hear you

— Steven James (@_sbxjames) October 16, 2017