me too movement essay topics

Me Too Movement - Essay Examples And Topic Ideas For Free

The Me Too movement has highlighted the prevalence and impact of sexual harassment and assault. Essays could discuss the movement’s origins and evolution, its impact on public discourse and policy around sexual misconduct, or critique and analyze its methods and outcomes from various perspectives. We have collected a large number of free essay examples about Me Too Movement you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

The me too Movement

The Me Too Movement, that was started in 2006 by Tarana Burke, who is a survivor of domestic violence, is a social reform to not only put a stop to sexual harassment/abuse but to create pathways of healing for survivors. According to the Me Too Movement website, “17,700,000 women have reported sexual assault since 1998” (metoo.org). This statistic shows the number of women who have been put through sexual violence and saw the light at the end of the tunnel […]

Annotated Bibliography: the me too Movement and the Ballet Industry

Sharon Basco’s article “Where Are The Women In Ballet” explores why so many American ballet companies that were founded by women are now all led by male artistic directors. The position of artistic director is one of the most prestigious roles in dance leadership, which makes it so significant that most of these positions are filled by men. The article explains that eight companies were founded by women in 1963- including Boston Ballet, the Washington Ballet, and Houston ballet- who ran strong ballet schools […]

Pros and Cons of MeToo Movement

Throughout the human history, we have progressed, matured, and gained rights. The laws proclaimed the prohibition of racial, religious, and sexual discriminations. With that said, women are still experiencing glass ceiling in different aspects even after few centuries. One example of the glass ceilings women encounter are ‘sexual violence against women.’ To begin with, sexual violence refers to any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic or otherwise directed against […]

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The American Press and Sexual Harassment

Will there be a before and after Harvey Weinstein affair? The revelation by the American press of edifying testimonials about sexual harassment, practiced for years by the Hollywood producer with regard to many actresses, has provoked a spectacular liberation of women's speech, in the United States and elsewhere. The reaction has taken unprecedented proportions on social networks. In France, on Twitter, the rapidity with which has spread the hashtag #balancetonporc says a lot about anger that is finally expressed. Some […]

The First Women’s Convention in 1848 Launched the Women’s Suffrage Movement

Following the monumental achievement of the right to vote in 1920, the movement lost momentum until the 1960s. In 1963 and 1964, the Equal Pay Act and Title IV of the Civil Rights Act banned discrimination in the workplace. The Equal Rights Amendment was formed in 1972, but was defeated because states did not want to ratify it. Although much progress has been made, women still face far too much discrimination in the workplace such as unequal pay, sexual harassment, […]

Understanding of the Social Justice

When people hear social justice, they may not really understand what the term means and may assume it is just a form of freedom and our rights. According to the Oxford dictionary, Social Justice is justice regarding the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society. However, I do not believe that definition is completely correct. What it fails to acknowledge is that the distribution should be equal among individuals of a society. If it is not equal for […]

Rape Culture what does not Kill Us Makes Us Stronger

Rape culture, what is it? In the minds of most people, it is typically associated with feminism and social media movements. However, by definition, it is a society or environment whose prevailing social attitudes have the effect of normalizing or trivializing sexual assault and abuse. Rape culture in our society is so socially normal that we do not know what it really is, we just associate it with normal things that we can just ignore or “brush off our shoulders” […]

Sexual Harassment Victims Silenced

I found multiple instances of blatant plagiarism. For that reason alone your paper fails and you fail the class. Your violation of the Student Code of Conduct will be reported to the Dean of Students. There is not grade appeal for blatant plagiarism. Unfortunately sexual violence is so common. “In the United States, one in three women has experienced some type of sexual violence. (WomensHealth)” According to the EEOC, sexual violence is “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and […]

Women in Law Enforcement

In the past few years, women in law enforcement have been facing many challenges in their job. They have had to undergo discrimination, unfairness, and sexual harassment. This was exposed by the #MeToo movement that was spread across social media. Women experienced an increase in representation as full-time sworn law enforcement officers during the 1980s and 1990s, growth has slowed down in recent years, but women continue to be underrepresented in law enforcement (Sexual Harassment, 2018). Why has the growth […]

Gender Equality in the Workforce

Our world has progressed over time in many aspects such as technologically, politically, and socially. The right to vote, equality in public areas, and freedom of speech and press common protected civil rights that exist today. However, there are still many subconscious aspects of inequality in society that often times go unnoticed or aren’t protested against as much. Men and women, though created equal at birth, are put into different spectrums based on society’s norms. So no matter how far […]

Sex Based Discrimination in the Modern American Workplace

Throughout my life I have experienced gender based discrimination first hand and have seen it happen to countless other women. From catcalling to biased employers, women face an abundance of resistance in their fight for equality. In this essay I will examine the inequality of women in the workplace and analyze the roots of gender discrimination in this setting so that others can better understand the pressing need for further action taken to eliminate this inequality. Is it Real? Many […]

Employer Intervention and Change

Some ways the employers can affect change is through fostering safe spaces, utilizing data to detect trends in real time, and choosing to close real and perceived gender gaps. Safe space planning begins with candid, inclusive conversations with the avenues necessary to address concerns efficiently and effectively available to all employees. “It's critical to foster a safe environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up. Through transparency and swift action, companies can mitigate bad behaviour and maintain a healthy culture where […]

U.S. History Paper

This past month, the nation tuned in to see which of their favorite movies of the year would earn a coveted golden trophy at the 91st annual Academy Awards. Upon first glance at the nominees represented by the academy, women seemed to have a record year. In the categories that were gender neutral, 52 women were nominated. This number was up from the previous year’s 44. However, many of the largest awards of the night were underwhelmingly diverse in gender. […]

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The #MeToo Movement : Investigating the Lasting International Impacts

Weaponized words are used to fix femininity into a narrative of fragility. In normative explanations of gender and expression, feminine expression is characterized as emotional , needy , and codependent . These are attributes that affirm fragility. In contrast, strength, toughness, dependability, and leadership are viewed as masculine . Because of this dichotomy, feminine fragility is reaffirmed every time a man is affirmed of his masculine superiority. Publicly endorsed standards of femininity are particularly prevalent within discussions of sexual harassment : a broad term used to refer to unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other sexualized verbal or physical conduct. Further, the social construction of feminine fragility is used to reinforce an image of sexual fragility , contributing to women’s objectification . Objectification contributes to broader patterns of discrimination, power, and male privilege, while also sustaining gender inequalities that increase the risk of sexual violence among women.

Social forces—relationships, beliefs, and values—tether femininity to harmful stereotypes and contribute to unequal power relations between women and men. In a patriarchal society, the ideal woman is associated with powerlessness. Thus, when a woman earns a position of power, she breaks out of character and steps away from the narrative. Sexual harassment is then used to obstruct the woman’s power, further entrenching her into control and domination . When women endure sexually traumatic experiences, society repackages patriarchy yet again, labeling the survivors as damaged goods . In tandem with other diverse elements , these particular rhetorics have deterred women from publicly opening up and expressing discomfort in these social constructs. To address these circumstances, the #MeToo movement was conceived. The underlying message was to counter prominent social expectations and change the narrative of acceptable female expression. Globally, women released personal statements on sexual harassment and violence at protests, on social media, and throughout the news. They sought to increase awareness, change societal perspectives, hold perpetrators accountable, and eventually prevent sexual violence writ large.

The Origins of the #MeToo Movement

To stand up against perpetrators of sexual violence, activist Tarana Burke, a survivor of sexual assault, coined the term “me too” in 2006. Burke initially focused on women of color, using the term to emphasize empowerment through empathy. On October 5, 2017, actress Alyssa Milano exposed film producer Harvey Weinstein in a New York Times article . A week later, Milano tweeted the phrase “ Me too ,” encouraging survivors to speak up. With the Weinstein sexual abuse scandal continuing to unfold, the phrase attached quickly to posts that flooded social media platforms. American Olympian McKayla Maroney joined in, tweeting to expose Team USA’s gymnastics doctor Lawrence G. Nassar : a convicted rapist and sexual assaulter. One after another, hundreds more allegations surfaced, challenging power dynamics with demands for legal action against perpetrators.

The Nature of the Shared Stories

By 2018, Facebook revealed that 45 percent of users in the United States had friends who took part in storytelling: the sharing of posts regarding past personal experiences. The majority of them were women. With reports showing that women are more likely to experience sexual harassment than men, such a distinction is not unexpected. According to the United Nations, more than one in three women worldwide have experienced sexual harassment. Another national study found that the percentage could be as high as 81 percent of women who experienced sexual harassment during their lifetime.

From some women declaring the end of their silence to others confirming that they are not alone, millions of tweets flooded social media feeds within the first six months of #MeToo. The movement mobilized rapidly as it went viral in over 85 nations . Several of the posts vividly exposed the magnitude of sexual violence with gut-wrenching details . According to a study on demographic representation and storytelling during the first year of the movement, Black women in particular tweeted about emotional support, criticism of governmental agencies, and concerns regarding discriminatory practices. Most commonly, women expressed both the need to share their past traumatic experiences and validate others who had similar experiences.

Story Sharing from the Perspective of Women Identifying Survivors

Many women—including survivors—expressed feelings of empowerment from participating in the movement. One of them is Haley Jakobson, an author who writes on queerness, trauma, and mental health. On CBS Mornings , Jakobson vocalized her past, sharing that she was taken advantage of and raped. She went on to mention that sharing her experience felt empowering as a rape survivor, emphasizing that it was her “truth and no one can take that away” from her. Another woman shared on Twitter , “#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”. To support her vocalization, another woman responded “You get better & stronger so you can fight more courageously! #meToo”. Messages such as these provide a context for the effect #MeToo had, as well as its goals: reclaiming power and redefining femininity.

Others also described the emotional toll of opening up. With trolls mocking their messages and skeptics discrediting their experiences, they felt that invalidation was far too prevalent. Visible to the public in comment sections and posts, these harmful contributions hindered the momentum of the movement. In addition, women of color expressed how the movement contributed to feelings of exclusion and devaluation . The overrepresentation of white women in #MeToo posts—a stark contrast to the underrepresentation of women of color—further illustrated the disproportionality. This exposed how Burke’s initial intent to center on women of color lacked priority as the movement progressed. In response, the movement has redirected initiatives towards the inclusivity of marginalized survivors: youth, queer, trans, disabled, and people of color.

The Impact of the #MeToo Movement: An International Angle

While survivors worldwide attempted to reconstruct femininity through storytelling, the magnitude of change remains undefined. Intrinsically, the movement’s aftermath is not homogeneous. In 2018, even Washington state Senator Karen Keiser —an advocate for the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace—expressed her uncertainty about the movement leading to actual change. In addition, the impact of the global movement remained centralized in the United States as other countries experienced less rapid progress.

In Italy, responses to survivors were particularly alarming. In 2017, one judge ruled against the survivor, declaring the survivor as “ too masculine ” to be a victim of sexual violence. The trend of delivering such insensitive, invalidating responses continued into 2023 when another judge justified the groping of a teenage girl on the basis that the sexual harassment lasted “ less than 10 seconds .” Another instance of devaluing women and their traumatic experiences appeared once again when two sexual violence cases publically surfaced. The Guardian spotlighted the legal consequences of normalized downplaying and victim-blaming towards female survivors, revealing deep-rooted sexism and subjugation of women.

Throughout China, the spread of the movement, especially with public accusations against screenwriter Shi Hang and talk-show host Zhu Jun , led to extensive efforts to redefine the term “sexual harassment.” CNN also reports on how these efforts were initially challenged by verbal attacks and censorship ; however, a few legal revisions were attained as a crackdown on the entertainment industry proceeded. Following increasing demands for accountability, local authorities also attempted to implement anti-harassment regulations, including a more robust initiative (effective since January 1, 2023) to prevent sexual harassment of women in the workforce. However, regulatory enforcement continues to fall short due to a lack of delineation, guidelines, and compliance. The issue may stem from the Chinese government neglecting to hold sexual harassment as a legal offense prior to 2021 while simultaneously pushing forward de-genderization efforts that reduced focus on the protection of women who are those most affected.   Across South Asia, the social taboo surrounding discussions of sexual experiences, harassment, and other forms of violence is a constant barrier to the storytelling process. Legal punishment and social ostracization of perpetrators are proven methods to prevent further acts of violence; however, enforcement mechanisms are nearly effective or timely. Although   Article Fifteen of the Indian Constitution legally prevents discrimination and other treats to equality, sexual harassment in the work place remains on the rise. Based on annual reports from companies in India, a twenty-seven percent increase in complaints was found from 2021 to 2022. Moreover, a large majority of garment workers in Bangladesh have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. Similar issues are prevalent in Nepal and Pakistan . While the movement does spotlight this status quo and create a space for activism , a concrete solution remains unknown.

Further, due to rigid differences in cultural and societal norms, the #MeToo movement seems to work through revision rather than reform. Specifically with purity culture persisting generationally and globally, it actively restricts productive, meaningful conversations about sexual health and autonomy in South Asian communities. Guilt and shame perpetuated by purity culture are also internalized by survivors, who feel a sense of failure to meet the sexist standards of purity and lack the recognition of the harm inflicted on them. Legal consequences also become implicated as laws face significant implementation hurdles, including a lack of social support and accountability. Thus, in many South Asian countries (e.g. India and Bangladesh ), the pace of progress—although noted in relation to the rise of the #MeToo movement—is slow.

Contrastingly, the impact of #MeToo in the United States was prominent. Several studies support lasting shifts in societal response . Legal ramifications after the Weinstein scandal disclose that a significant portion of society has collectively influenced political action. For instance, state legislatures were under growing pressure to curb sexual assault and harassment. Many states directed efforts towards ending the backlog of rape kits, such as providing financial support for testing and approving new procedures for timely testing. In addition, funds were raised for the legal fight against harassment, including the US$ 22 million Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund. The fund helped over 3,600 low-income women gain access to attorney consultations and pay legal fees . Resource hotlines also indicated surges aligning with the time of publication of major #MeToo movement posts. Overall, through the enactment of newly introduced legislation and initiatives regarding sexual violence prevention, tangible changes were made.

The Future of Femininity in the Context of Sexual Harassment

For those who could connect and find support, story-sharing throughout the #MeToo movement gave access to healing , empowerment, and solidarity. In the United States, discussions on sexual harassment and related retaliation increased by over thirteen percent since 2017. Seventy-four percent of women also expressed a greater willingness to speak up against harassment. As Women’s March Co-Chair Carmen Perez confirms, the movement is about survivors “reclaiming our power”. On that account, many survivors were able to gain a sense of community: one that validated their trauma and removed perpetrators from positions of power. However, the movement is far from over.

According to the Work Bank , there are 50 countries that have not implemented legislation centered around the sexual harassment of women. Evidently, this reveals a need for an all-encompassing global legislation that targets the prevention of sexual harassment and other forms of violence against women. Improvement must continue, and acknowledging those opportunities does not distract from the progress made. Rather, this should d​​irect collective efforts toward disrupting existing systems that maintain unequal social relations.

Kimtee Kundu

Kimtee Kundu is a HIR staff writer. She focuses on women's rights, international affairs, and humanitarian crises.

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The #MeToo Movement: History, Sexual Assault Statistics, Impact

Sherri Gordon, CLC is a published author, certified professional life coach, and bullying prevention expert. She's also the former editor of Columbus Parent and has countless years of experience writing and researching health and social issues.

Sean is a fact-checker and researcher with experience in sociology, field research, and data analytics.

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• Sexual Assault Statistics
• What's Next for #MeToo?

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to receive confidential support from a trained staff member at a local RAINN affiliate.

For more mental health resources, see our National 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 of sexual 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.

The History of the #MeToo Movement

Tarana Burke, an advocate for women in New York, coined the #MeToo phrase in 2006. She aimed to empower women who had endured sexual violence by letting them know that they were not alone—that other women had suffered the same experience.

Time magazine named Burke as their Person of the Year for 2017, and she's earned the Ridenhour Prize for Courage . Today, as senior director at Girls for Gender Equity in Brooklyn, Burke speaks at events across the country.

In 2017, the New York Times published an article accusing 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.

Sexual Harassment and Assault Statistics

The issue of sexual aggression is pervasive. Nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment or assault, according to a 2018 study conducted by the University of California and the non-profit Stop Street Harassment.

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, but sexual 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. 

Nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment or assault, according to a 2018 study conducted by the University of California and the non-profit Stop Street Harassment.

Harassment and assault can be devastating, often leading to substance use, suicide, psychiatric disorders such as PTSD, and other negative outcomes.

Impact of the #MeToo Movement

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.

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:

• Affirmed for survivors that they are not alone
• Developed a stronger community where survivors have a voice
• Demonstrated how widespread the issue is
• Shifted social norms and opinions about the issue
• Exposed belief systems that enable abuse
• Increased compassion for survivors
• Updated and enacted laws and policies
• Created avenues for survivors to speak up and share their stories
• Broke the silence surrounding sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual bullying
• Destigmatized the issue and made it safe for discussions
• Punished many powerful men through legal action and negative public opinion
• Highlighted the need for formal antiharassment policies
• Prompted several states to ban non-disclosure agreements, which help powerful people hide their actions by buying survivors' silence
• Created the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund , which has provided legal representation to thousands of survivors
• Resulted in new legal standards by the International Labour Organization

What's Next for #MeToo?

Although positive change continues, much work remains to be done.

For example, survivors of sexual assault and harassment still endure victim-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.

A prime example is actor Bill Cosby's 2021 release from prison after a Pennsylvania court threw out his conviction for sexual assault, despite ample evidence. He was among the first wave of prominent people to be tried and convicted of such crimes.

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

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.

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

By Sherri Gordon Sherri Gordon, CLC is a published author, certified professional life coach, and bullying prevention expert. She's also the former editor of Columbus Parent and has countless years of experience writing and researching health and social issues.

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#MeToo Movement Essay Example

The #MeToo movement is widely known movement for exterminating sexual harassment. This movement had sparked the world into an acknowledgment that sexual harassment and rape unfortunately do happen, but they cannot happen again. This movement, created by Tarana Burke in 2006, helped raise awareness for sexual assault by women who have been sexually assaulted or harassed. The #MeToo movement helped people understand what sexual harassment is and encourages others to report attacks and speak out. They don’t just help women who have been abused, but also men who have too.  

To repeat what I had said before, sexual assaults cannot happen again. Sexual harassment erodes a women's authority, reinforces sexual stereotypes about appropriate gender behavior, and reduces them into sexual objects. The Me Too movement was created for that exact purpose, for it not to happen again. While they see that these things are happening, they do not simply dismiss it, they act. This movement created mass awareness for sexual harassment that had before been ignored. Sexual harassment can affect anyone and everyone. No matter what their gender, race, or even age is. Black women suffer 3x more sexual abuse than white women do. This fact shows that sexual abuse happens more often with women of color. 

Additionally, the #MeToo movement helps women know that they are not alone, and encourages them to speak out. Traditionally, Sexual abuse has been brushed aside because of fear of shame, retribution, and retaliation by their peers, family and the person who had inflicted the abuse.Social media has now become the modern form communication, and the ability to go viral, or to even just spread your local following, is enough to spark a movement if enough people are joining the conversation. People who had been abused have now started posting their experience on social media platforms.  

An equally crucial point is that not only do women get harassed or abused, but men also do too. When people think of rape, they think of women getting harassed by a man. That is not true, men also get harassed and even raped too. As of 1998, 2.78 million American men were victims of attempted rape or rape. Both men and women are being sexualized, traumatized, and victimized every day and most of the time, they don’t come forward.  

In conclusion the Me Too movement is essential in being able to get rid of sexual harassment in our world today. The #MeToo Movement is, without a doubt, the most effective way in getting people to recognize the mass importance of eliminating rape, sexual violence, and harassment. This hashtag is used as a frame to pursue the goals of the advocates of the movement, which is social change and sexual harassment. Being targeted for speaking out and being targeted for who you are as a person, is never okay. When you are strong enough to be who you are as a person, there should never be any shame or reprimand. Whether you are male or female, society does not have the right to sexualize you as a human being. At the end of the day you are a person, and this is what we should all strive to be, a person. 

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‘me too.’ Global Movement

• Gender Justice
• Racial Justice
• Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

The ability to live free from violence is a basic human right. But sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) persists in every country of the world. 'me too.' International ’s groundbreaking survivor-focused leadership on SGBV sparked the global #MeToo hashtag and movement for change that went viral in 2017. While the movement has achieved meaningful wins for survivors, movements like ‘me too.’ in the US and globally—especially those led by Black and Brown women—continue to be under-resourced, lacking access to core, flexible, multi-year funding and structural connections to each other.

With roots in historical and structural inequalities, SGBV is characterized by the use and abuse of power and control in public and private spheres. It manifests in multiple forms and contexts, including sexual harassment and violence; domestic violence; trafficking; rape as a weapon of war; femicide; and harmful practices such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, and dowry. Further, as with all forms of exploitation and oppression, SGBV disproportionately impacts those who are further marginalized by race, class, and other intersecting identities.

“ ‘Me too’ was just two words; it's two magic words that galvanized the world.” Tarana Burke Founder, ‘me too.’ International

A viral movement that changed the world

The ‘ me too .’ movement was founded in 2006 by Tarana Burke to support survivors of sexual violence, particularly young women of color from low-wealth communities, to find pathways to healing. The movement’s vision from the beginning has been to address both the dearth of resources for survivors of sexual violence and to build a robust community of advocates and allies. In October 2017, the movement went global as the #MeToo hashtag went viral and survivors across the world came forward about their experiences with sexual assault.

From #米兔 (translated as "rice bunny,” pronounced as “mi tu”) in China to #Sex4Grades in Kenya to #uykularinkacsin (may you lose sleep) in Turkey, ‘me too.’ transcended national borders.

Tarana Burke has visited many countries since then. And as the ‘me too’ movement has grown, many countries have asked to connect with efforts in the US. Their requests have sparked the vision of a global community that centers survivor leadership through deep cross-country relationship building and practice sharing.

Much work remains to be done

‘Me too.’ activism against SGBV in the US has been transformational: it has catalyzed mass movements globally; resulted in inventive community-appropriate activism against SGBV; and energized national legislation and global policy . But there has also been a backlash against the ‘ me too . ’ movement , fueled by patriarchy and resistance to disrupting the status quo. And as a Black woman in the US, Tarana Burke has not received the kind of tangible support for her organization, including funding, necessary to scale up, sustain, and boost the movement’s impact for the long term.

Additionally, as the global spike in domestic violence during COVID-19-related lockdowns reaffirms, ending SGBV is an urgent human rights issue that transcends national and cultural boundaries.

By providing funding and other resources, Global Fund for Women aims to support the ‘me too.’ global movement in becoming a well-resourced global ecosystem that works to end SGBV and make healing and actionable support systems available to survivors.

Globally, more than one in three women experiences intimate partner violence and/or sexual violence in her lifetime.

Source: UN Women

In the US, approximately one in two transgender individuals are sexually abused or assaulted at some point in their life.

Source: 'me too.' International

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Essay Samples on Me Too Movement

​from ​"a room of one’s own"​ to the metoo movement: culture and women’s rights along the 20th and 21st century.

Introduction This essay aims to provide a comprehensive overview of women's position, their rights, and conditions during the 20th and 21st centuries, examining the changes and reasons behind them. It focuses on two cultural manifestations: Virginia Woolf's influential feminist polemic, "A Room of One's Own,"...

• A Room of One's Own
• Me Too Movement
• Women's Rights

Issue Of Sexual Assault: Me Too Movement

Tarana Burke, in 2006 began a development to help black young women who were or almost were unfortunate casualties of sexual assault. To accentuate to these ladies that they were not the only ones in their encounters, she named it 'Me Too,'. In October 2017,...

• Sexual Abuse
• Sexual Assaults

Me Too Movement And The Weinstein Production 

The end of October is a time of comical fear and childish excitement; however, the glittering world of Hollywood was introduced to a new fright-fest on the 5th of October 2017 when Ashley Judd identified the Boogeyman. The Me Too movement began when film producer,...

• Sexual Harassment

The History Of Me Too Movement

To begin with, according to metoomvmt.org, there have been 17,700,000 reported sexual assault cases by women since 1998! All aspects of the general public have seen, felt, and experienced it intently the most agonizing and individual methods for torture against ladies. The 'Me Too' express...

Shining A Light On The Me Too Movement

The ‘Me Too Movement’ is rooted in a dark place in founder, Tarana Burke’s soul that can be described as traumatic. She was a youth worker where she interacted with predominantly African American children and other children of color. These children told their traumatic stories...

• Child Abuse

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1. ​From ​”A Room of One’s Own”​ to the MeToo Movement: Culture and Women’s Rights Along the 20th and 21st Century

2. Issue Of Sexual Assault: Me Too Movement

3. Me Too Movement And The Weinstein Production 

4. The History Of Me Too Movement

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The Importance of Me Too Movement

There is an extended number of severe and challenging social issues that people try to but cannot eliminate. One such problem is abuse and harassment, and the Me Too movement aims to reduce the rate of assaulting people regardless of their age, gender, and race. The article “Me Too Founder Tarana Burke: Movement Is Not Over” discusses the actual goal of this social movement, as well as its global recognition and similarities with Black Lives Matter (Gurvinder and Rahman-Jones). Precisely this article may shed light on the importance of this movement because it explains that the problem of violence against women has several serious sides, including the guilt of the victim and the very fact of assault.

In my opinion, this article is compelling and sincere. The authors quote the words of the movement’s leader, Tarana Burke, which is probably the paper’s main strength (Gurvinder and Rahman-Jones). Burke mentions that the problem of assaults itself and the fact that victims feel guilty because of the crime need to be eliminated. In other words, “what Tarana sees as a victory for Me Too is helping people not blame themselves for sexual violence committed against them and lead fuller lives” (Gurvinder and Rahman-Jones). Therefore, the critical goal of this social movement is above revenge – the participants and leaders of the Me Too try to help the victims, both male and female, feel better after the violence was committed. The fact of mentioning these brilliant and powerful words is another strength of this article.

The problem addressed by Gurvinder and Rahman-Jones is quite crucial and has to draw the public’s attention. The level of violence perpetrated by famous and wealthy people is on the rise, and victims cannot get justice because of their lower social status. This fact proves the necessity and importance of this movement and this article, which draws attention to the Me Too and lets it become wider and more powerful.

Another positive aspect of Gurvinder’s and Rahman-Jones’s paper is that it mentions the necessity of talking about is disabled persons, everyday children, women, men, and trans people. All individuals “who are not rich, white, and famous, who deal with sexual violence on everyday basis,” need to be heard, protected, and treated equally and fairly. What is more, Burke urges everyone to talk about the systems that allow violence and injustice to happen (Gurvinder and Rahman-Jones). Precisely the misuse of privilege and power leads to sexism and racism, and the goal of both the Me Too and Black Lives Matter movements is to stop it. However, a counterargument to this statement is that there are several governmental programs against violence and harassment, so it is not quite right to judge the whole system.

There are some negative aspects of this article that make it not as strong and powerful as it could have been. For instance, it is evident that society has the potential to change the unjust system, but the measures required to be taken are not discussed in the paper. Unfortunately, if one creates awareness without indicating a literal plan of action, he or she will not be able to solve the problem or make a tremendous difference. The relevant problem not addressed in this article is the lack of secure and safe ways for assaulted people to let the authorities know about the crime and get help. If it is currently impossible to solve the problem of violence itself, it is necessary to eliminate the factors contributing to it.

To draw a conclusion, one may say that such movements can actually make a great difference by drawing the public’s attention to severe social issues. However, speaking about a problem is never enough, and the leaders of the Me Too should think of some real aspects of reducing the level of violence and abuse. Certainly, assuring people that assaulting black and white men and women is not appropriate makes a difference, but a multilateral approach may be more effective.

Gurvinder, Gill, and Imran Rahman-Jones. “Me Too Founder Tarana Burke: Movement Is Not Over.” BBC News , 2020, Web.

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Me Too Movement

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History of Me Too Movement

The Me Too movement was conceptualized by Tarana Burke. It became a media sensation when an exposé was aired against Harvey Weinstein on countless allegations.  Following the expose publication, more than 50 women have come out stating that Weinstein sexually assaulted them (Evans, 2018). Alyssa Milano, an actor and vocal critic of Weinstein came out on social media on October 15, 2017, with a call for people to tweet “me too” as a status to give magnitude to the matter. The result of that tweet led to women opening up about their personal stories of sexual abuse. Women used social media to disclose their harassment and abuse. They included public figures and celebrities like Olympic Gymnast McKayla Maroney. It led to a conversation about the imbalance of power and men’s behavior. Me Too raised over 12m posts on Facebook, Twitter, Snap chat and other social media platforms as people reacted to the # me too challenge(Onwuachi-Willig, 2018). This paper will expound on the Me Too movement by discussing its conception, objectives, and dangers it poses to the societal establishment.

Tarana Burke

#MeToo came to existence before the emergence of Social media when Tarana Burke formed the campaign as a means to reach sexual assault survivors in a poor neighborhood. Tarana Burke formed the movement in 2006 after listening to a young girl’s harrowing tale of rape by her mother’s boyfriend. She was moved into taking action to help communities that lacked rape crisis centers and sexual assault workers.

Tarana Burke is a survivor of sexual violence having been raped at the age of six and molested by a neighborhood teenager for several years. She was also raped as an adult and harassed in the street. Burke knows the importance of seeking healing after such an encounter and has committed her life to helping women of color to find healing. She coined the phrase “Me Too” in 2006 when she formed Just Be Inc. a Non- Profit Company geared toward helping women of color. After a while, the company began to help support marginalized people in marginalized communities. Although the Me Too movement has become a sensation on the social media, it differs from the true purpose of the movement which is to support sexual assault survivors and not call out perpetrators as it is happening and holding them accountable. Tarana Burke has worked with several women to speak out against sexual abuse and harassment. In collaboration with Taylor Swift and Ashley Judd, she formed a group dubbed ‘The silence breakers’ that is a voice for the voiceless. In 2017, Times Magazine recognized the group by awarding it the Person of the Year award.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual conduct that offends, humiliates or intimidates an individual (Dionisi and Barling, 2015). It also involves a situation where a person is asked to participate in sexual activity in order to receive employment. Sexual harassment can include one or more actions showcasing physical, non-verbal and verbal. Physical conduct consists of unwelcome behavior such as stroking, kissing, patting, hugging or inappropriate touching. It can also include physical violence, and job-related threats to solicit sexual favors. Verbal conduct consists of commenting on someone’s appearance, private life or age. It also consists of sexual comments or jokes, sexual advances, unwanted social invitations for physical intimacy or dates among others. Non-Verbal Conduct includes whistling, leering or sexually -suggestive gestures. Any person can be a victim of sexual harassment regardless of their sex or that of their harasser. However, as long as the sexual conduct is regarded as unwanted or unwelcome by the person the conduct is directed at, it remains a sexual abuse or harassment.

Purpose of the Me Too Movement

• Changed laws and policies

The movement came out to give people the resources they needed to find healing and advocate for changes to laws and policies. Some states have changed legislation to extend the statute of limitations allowing victims to file a civil lawsuit to bring their abusers to justice. Some victims could not get justice after failing to report the incident several years after it took place. States are now improving the law by extending the time frame that victims have to file a lawsuit against their perpetrators. An example is being derived from the recent revelations involving the Catholic Church whereby people who were abused as children are coming out to talk about their harrowing experience. State legislatures have begun to police themselves after several of their colleagues have resigned following accusations of sexual harassment. Additionally, most states have a written policy that guards against inappropriate sexual behavior especially with skewed power dynamics they are now paying attention to this policy. Legislators are now involving lobbyists to critically examine sexual harassment in their own industry.

• Teach children to report predatory behavior

Most of the children who are sexually abused will not tell anyone about it and might keep it as a secret the whole of their lives. Sexual abusers are usually people they know too well and love, making it difficult for children to report them. The closer the relationship, the harder it becomes for them to open up. Children will always give vague hints about what is happening to them, it is essential for the parents to look out for the warning signs. Parents are now empowered by the Me Too movement to support their children and show them the love they deserve so that it can be easier for them to open up. They have begun to teach them how to detect people with predatory behavior and how to avoid them. Parents have learned how to speak up once they discover that their children have been sexually abused and bring their perpetrators to justice.

• Help fight sexual harassment and violence in the workplace.

Sexual harassment figures continue to rise in the workplace even after some refuse to report it. Sexual harassment in the work environment was illegalized in 1964 after the passing of the Civil Rights Act, Title VII barring employment discrimination (Fitzgerald and Cortina, 2017). However, sexual abuse cases continue to be reported. After the uproar of #me too movement, employers have stepped up to put in place anti-harassment policies that seek to protect employees from harassment. They are conducting anti-harassment training to educate their employees on what to do if someone abuses them and where to report.  Sexual harassment training is regarded as an effective mechanism for avoiding sexual harassment and mitigating its effects as it educates employees on their responsibilities, appropriate behavior and increases employee’s sensitivity to sexual harassment issues (Bainbridge, Perry, and Kulik, 2018). To prevent future harassment, more employers are taking up stern measures against offenders by firing perpetrators of abuse. Business executives are publicly communicating about inappropriate behavior not being tolerated in the workplace since sexual harassment affects the people negatively in their productivity, morale and employee turnover. McDonald, Charlesworth, and Graham (2015) indicate that sexual harassment has contributed to occupational stress, team conflict, absenteeism, and reduced workforce morale.

Managers have also resulted in employing a counselor who can listen to the dilemmas and pertinent issues involving their employees. Some of the sanctions managers have introduced a penalty for sexual misconduct in the workplace include a verbal or written warning, reduction of wages, transfers or suspension and demotion.

• Non-disclosure Agreements

Serial sexual harassers have over the years used nondisclosure agreements to continue abusing their victims. For instance, Movie Producer Harvey Weinstein and other politicians have used nondisclosure agreements to harass multiple victims. In many instances, the agreements have been transformed into financial settlements with the aim of compensating the victims and barring them from speaking about sexual abuse or harassment. However, many states including Arizona, New York, Vermont, Washington, Maryland, and Tennessee have come out to tweak nondisclosure agreements to limit how they ought to be used in harassment claims.

In Washington, state lawmakers have passed bills that target NDAs especially those that cover sexual abuse. Employers in this state will be barred from forcing employees to sign them as a prerequisite for employment. In Arizona, the agreement cannot bar victims from participating in Criminal proceedings and stops employers from using them as a condition for employment. The law also prohibits sexual harassment agreements agreed by public officials from incorporating a non-disclosure agreement in case the victim is paid with tax dollars.

Dangers of Me Too Movement

• Sexual Freedom

The disadvantage of the Me Too Movement is that it threatens sexual freedom. Some men are being accused and forced to confess to crimes they have not committed. Women are also being forced to come out and talk about their experiences and those who don’t are regarded as traitors. Due to the prevalence of the Me Too challenge, some men are unwilling to work with women for fear of being falsely accused of sexual harassment. There is also the worry that punishment for less sexual misconduct could be considered as that of severe offenses. It could lead to serious legal actions by people who have been accused falsely for having been perpetrators of sexual abuse.

Some men are bound to lose their careers over sexual harassment with senior managers afraid to interact with their subordinates. The movement will lead to less networking and promotions for the women in the workplaces. Women will start being regarded as liabilities and will not be mentored limiting their ability to rise up in ranks. Sexual harassment’s effects are long term for women especially in the workplace; it undermines their workplace authority and lowers them to sexual objects (McLaughlin, H., Uggen and Blackstone, 2017).

In the case of Weinstein who prompted the  “me too” challenge he has faced several setbacks following the sexual abuse as he got fired from his company, his wife left him and received an expulsion from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Some celebrities have also not been spared severe personal and professional repercussions following allegations of sexual misconduct. They include Bill O’Reilly, Bill Cosby, and Roger Ailes. Some have gone unscathed even after grave allegations have been rallied against them. They include Woody Allen, Mel Gibson, Charlie Sheen, and R.Kelly among others.

• Gender and Race ratios

Every institution will be called upon to calculate the gender and race ratio before they hire or promote anyone. For instance, at the Oscar Awards, John Bailey who is the President of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences stated that the nominations would seek to balance race, gender and, religion come 2020. Managers who are forced to attain gender and race equity when selecting employees are apprehensive about this stating that the repercussion would be to employ less qualified employees. Financial institutions and banks are equally facing pressure from their shareholders to release data on the female employees at their upper ranks which could raise more questions about the balance between male and female employees. STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) departments have been under pressure to observe gender and race when hiring employees. Despite the efforts of governments, foundations, and companies to sponsor an increase in the number of females in STEM, gender proportions have not improved over the years. It is attributed to the differences in interests and aptitude witnessed in both sexes. Female career choice is way different than that of their male counterparts.

It takes a lot of energy for women to come out and talk about sexual abuse and harassment that has happened to them. Majority of the women who come out are afraid that they will be partly blamed for it. They are not sure whether they will receive support from their friends and family once they come out. Some are afraid that they will lose their jobs once their stories come to light. As much as many people come out and speak about their experiences, some vulnerable people may not feel they have the liberty to speak out. LGBT women, undocumented women, and women of color are facing exceptional risks each day and might be discouraged from speaking about their experiences. Regulska (2018) states that women vary in many ways from their diverse race to ethnicities and their intersecting identity markings makes it possible for some women to be more vulnerable than others.

Recommendations

The government is getting involved in the Me Too conversation by discussing the possibility of expanding Title VII protections. At the moment, the civil rights act statute applies to employees who are harassed at the workplace with independent contractors not protected by Title VII. There is a need to have strong and comprehensive anti-harassment policies and training at work. Employers can create a public website whereby employees who have been sexually abused or harassed can anonymously report incidents at the workplace to a third party who can bring the matter t the employer for action.

Legal accessible avenues are available, but they should not be stagnant proceedings that do not help victims. There ought to be a due process prior to an adverse action being taken. There is the culture of people dragging their feet or sweeping things under the carpet which needs to stop. Sexual predators should be barred from running for office in the political realm and confess to having engaged or supported harassment or violence. Additionally, people ought to know their rights and the protections that are in place so that they can feel empowered to speak about their abuse. There ought to be a grassroots movement in every state, community, and workplace where victims can receive first-hand assistance towards healing. There ought to be counseling areas where they can speak to a counselor.

 Conclusion

The Me Too movement was established with the aim of bringing a voice to marginalized people, but has moved on to help millions of people to speak out about sexual abuse and harassment. As much as the conversation has been continued elsewhere, a lot needs to be done as the movement has sparked more dangers than it anticipated. The conversation still lingers on how to verify sexual abuse several years after it has happened with legislatures moving in to amend the law. Women are being looked at differently in the workplace due to the Me Too challenge while others have reservations whether speaking out is the best course of action. Tarana Burke coined the term “Me Too” to provide a reprieve to women that have faced sexual harassment, there should be a way to offer healing to these individuals without people just shaming the perpetrators in the social media.

Bainbridge, H. T., Perry, E. L., & Kulik, C. T. (2018). Sexual harassment training: explaining differences in Australian and US approaches.  Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources ,  56 (1), 124-147.

Dionisi, A. M., & Barling, J. (2015). Spillover and crossover of sex‐based harassment from work to home: Supervisor gender harassment affects romantic relationship functioning via targets’ anger.  Journal of Organizational Behavior ,  36 (2), 196-215.

Evans, A. (2018). # MeToo: A Study on Sexual Assault as Reported in the New York Times.  Occam’s Razor ,  8 (1), 3.

Fitzgerald, L. F., & Cortina, L. M. (2017). Sexual harassment in work organizations: a view from the twenty-first century.  APA Handbook of the Psychology of Women. APA. Available at http://www. apa. org/pubs/books/4311534. aspx .

McDonald, P., Charlesworth, S., & Graham, T. (2015). Developing a framework for effective prevention and response strategies in workplace sexual harassment. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources ,  53 (1), 41-58

McLaughlin, H., Uggen, C., & Blackstone, A. (2017). THE ECONOMIC AND CAREER EFFECTS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT ON WORKING WOMEN.  Gender & society: official publication of Sociologists for Women in Society ,  31 (3), 333-358.

Onwuachi-Willig, A. (2018). What About# UsToo?: The Invisibility of Race in the# MeToo Movement.

Regulska, J. (2018). The# MeToo Movement as a Global Learning Moment.  International Higher Education ,  94 , 5-6.

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Social Movements Reflection: Metoo Movement

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#MeToo founder says campaign will continue after Weinstein verdict overturned

Tarana Burke called Harvey Weinstein’s accusers ‘heroes’ and said movement would continue to bring progress to society

The founder of the #MeToo movement, Tarana Burke, has called the women who spoke out against Harvey Weinstein “heroes” and said such campaigns for justice and equality will continue to bring about progress in society.

Burke, who nearly two decades ago coined the phrase “Me too” from her work with sexual assault survivors, found herself again declaring – after New York’s highest court in a shock decision on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction in the city – the #MeToo reckoning was greater than any court case.

A strong sign that the movement is still there, is international, and is still working was that, Burke said, “10 years ago we could not get a man like Harvey Weinstein into the courtroom.”

The movement, she said, was responsible for that huge cultural shift – regardless of the Hollywood mogul’s ultimate legal fate.

Thursday’s announcement was a huge blow and a worrying development for those who have been assaulted or sexually harassed, including by superiors in the workplace, and a setback that is also coming as Donald Trump is running for president again despite multiple accusations of sexual assault and predatory conduct over the years – and being found liable by a civil court for sexual abuse.

But Burke and other advocates joined Hollywood figures who were victims of Weinstein to express distress at the decision and declare that the movement goes on and will continue to change society, while prosecutors said they would seek a new trial of the movie mogul in New York.

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“I can understand how devastating and disgusted and angry, just the range of emotions that so many of them must feel,” Burke said. “And I hope they understand for those of us survivors who will likely never see a day in court, that they are still heroes to us,” Burke said.

Anita Hill, who testified against Clarence Thomas during his 1991 supreme court confirmation hearing, becoming the face of the fight against sexual harassment more than a quarter-century before the Weinstein revelations fueled the #MeToo movement, said on Thursday: “The movement will persist.”

Hill added that it would be “driven by the truth of our testimonies. And changes to our systems and culture will follow.”

And Burke stressed in an interview with the Associated Press that while legal advances are necessary for progress, “the judicial system has never been a friend of survivors. And so it’s the reason why we need movements, because movements have historically been what has pushed the legal system to do the right thing.”

Burke said she spent Thursday morning speaking to accusers, including the actor Annabella Sciorra, who testified at the 2020 trial that Weinstein raped her, as she called the witnesses heroes.

Burke, who has spoken out about her own past as a survivor of abuse, added she could never imagine facing her own perpetrator in court.

“So just the fact that they got to do that, to bring a person, a man like Harvey Weinstein, to account for his crimes, is incredible,” she said.

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• Rape and sexual assault
• Sexual harassment

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#MeToo Movement Presentation

Introduction to the problem.

• “Me Too” movement – founded in 2006 by Tarana Burke;
• Shedding light on sexual violence and its broad impact;
• Transformed into a nation-wide dialogue;
• Finding ways to individual healing and disrupting the system that allowed violence to persist;
• “Empowerment through empathy” to help survivors of abuse (Murray, 2017, para. 1);
• Reached the mainstream media due to reports of abuse in the entertainment industry.

The popular hashtag ‘MeToo’ has been sweeping the global society in the aftermath of the infamous Harvey Weinstein scandal. While the movement was initially created in 2006, it has gained massive attention fairly recently due to the exposure of unethical and criminal actions of the most influential people in the entertainment industry. the purpose of this presentation is shedding light on the movement and evaluating it from a socio-psychological perspective.

Role of Reciprocal Determinism

• Behavior: environment, individual qualities, and behavior itself (social and personal characteristics);
• Environmental component (physical surroundings, people, relationships) influences the intensity and frequency of behaviors;
• Personal qualities that were previously rewarded create a foundation for future behaviors;
• The introduction of reinforcing stimuli in the environment changes individuals’ behaviors (Nevid, 2013).

The topic of reciprocal determinism is relevant to the current discussion because it explains why people may act in specific ways. Experiences of sexual abuse and harassment have been subjected to stigma, which made it harder for victims to share their stories. This means that changes in the environment (both positive and negative) may influence the way in which survivors of sexual abuse approach their experiences. #MeToo is given the role of a reinforcing stimulus in the reciprocal determinism framework.

Psychology of #MeToo

• Reporting sexual abuse creates solidarity among victims;
• Feelings of isolation elevate when victims find others with similar experiences (Northeastern University, 2017);
• Individuals in disadvantaged situations have less power than their abusers;
• Opening a conversation about what should be done to restore the impact of sexual abuse;
• Undermining the structural inequality that has both physical and mental impact.

The psychological significance of #MeToo should not be undermined. Through creating a movement with a distinct name and purpose, Tarana Burke, the founder, alongside with her supporters are now able to develop a sense of solidarity among sexual assault victims that they have never experienced. They are no longer in isolation from the society but are included in the conversation about the adverse mental influence of sexual assault and harassment.

Reciprocal Determinism and #MeToo

• Victims of abuse were silent → because of the outdated social standards that stigmatized victims of sexual assault (Kennedy & Prock, 2016);
• Victims started sharing their experience → encouraged by the #MeToo movement;
• Solidarity among victims of assault → reinforced by the popularity of the movement;
• Examples of women in the entertainment industry → helping women realize that they are not alone.

In the context of reciprocal determinism, the #MeToo movement should be seen as a positive reinforcement that made it possible for victims of sexual abuse and harassment to change their previous behaviors. In the past, such people were left alone with their mental struggles because the environment did not allow them to speak freely. The shift toward the acceptance created a sense of solidarity, especially with the support from celebrities who also shared their stories.

Social Psychology and #MeToo

• Sexual harassment and abuse were deeply rooted in the social interactions of the past (Richards & Haglund, 2015);
• “Narrative has been a unifying and mobilizing force throughout history” (Pazzanese & Walsh, 2017, para. 5);
• Power of narrative: telling real-life stories of abuse encourages others to share theirs;
• #MeToo provides women with safety to share their stories without being judged, unlike in the past;
• Coping mechanisms can develop more effectively in group settings.
• #MeToo opened possibilities for the societal change in terms of de-stigmatization of abuse victims;
• Guilt, shame, and fault were often associated with experiences of sexual abuse and harassment;
• No more discrediting of victims in the sphere of social justice;
• It was normal for women to get assaulted and harassed;
• Overcoming harmful experiences was easy (Daley & Kitson, 2017).

From the socio-psychological standpoint, the #MeToo phenomenon used the power of narrative to undermine the past perception that stories of abuse and harassment should not be brought up. Victims now feel safer than ever to express their feelings and recount their traumatizing experiences. By doing so, they are able to strengthen their coping skills and aim toward complete mental recovery.

Another important outcome of #MeToo in regards to social psychology relates to the de-stigmatization of abuse victims, which was prevalent in the twentieth century. This also ties in with reciprocal determinism: as perceptions within the society changed, victims are no longer discredited and treated respectfully. Additionally, the movement aims to eliminate the past harmful mindsets that abuse is not so problematic and can be disregarded.

The Opposite Perspective

• #MeToo has the potential of expanding the divide between men and women (Kimmel, 2018);
• Cases when men get accused of sexual abuse without proof affect #MeToo’s credibility;
• “Guilty until proven innocent”: false accusations of sexual abuse harm people’s careers and reputations (Wells, 2015);
• The narrative of toxic masculinity started infiltrating the media, disregarding problems that innocent men deal with after #MeToo (Godwin, 2018).

Despite the positive outcomes of the movement in terms of the social justice, the adverse impact should also be discussed. It has been pointed out that the divide between men and women might expand due to the narrative of ‘toxic masculinity’ that the movement’s proponents reinforce. This is damaging to the reputation of all men, even those who have been wrongfully accused of sexual assault and harassment.

• #MeToo opened the boundaries to discussions about the impact of sexual abuse;
• #MeToo exposed the social structures of stigmatizing victims;
• #MeToo gave victims the power to speak up without being afraid;
• #MeToo used reciprocal determinism to affect behaviors of sexual abuse victims;
• The movement supported the narrative of toxic masculinity, which affected men adversely;
• The movement made it easier for men to get accused of sexual assault and harassment.

The #MeToo movement made a significant impact on the way the topic of sexual abuse and harassment has been treated. Victims now feel safe and empowered to share their stories because the social environment shifted in the direction of sympathy and acceptance. However, it is essential to remember that a dialogue is needed for strengthening the society rather than dividing it based on the stereotypical perceptions of sexual abuse.

Daley, K., & Kitson, R. (2017). Psychologists’ reactions to the # MeToo movement . Web.

Godwin, R. (2018). Men after #MeToo: There’s a narrative that masculinity is fundamentally toxic . The Guardian . Web.

Kennedy, A., & Prock, K. (2016). “I still feel like I am not normal”: A review of the role of stigma and stigmatization among female survivors of child sexual abuse, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence. Trauma Violence Abuse, 2016 , 1-16.

Kimmel, L. (2018). Is #MeToo worsening the divide between men and women? The Globe and Mail . Web.

Murray, D. (2017). Empowerment through empathy – We spoke to Tarana Burke, the woman who really started the ‘Me too’ movement . Elle . Web.

Nevid, J. S. (2013). Psychology: Concepts and applications . Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.

Northeastern University. (2017). Psychologist discusses how the # MeToo creates solidarity for victims of sexual harassment . Web.

Pazzanese, C., & Walsh, C. (2017). # Me Too surge could change society in pivotal ways, analysts say . Web.

Richards, D., & Haglund, J. (2015). Violence against women and the law. New York, NY: Routeledge.

Wells, J. (2015). ‘Guilty until proven innocent’: Life after a false rape accusation . Telegraph. Web.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2022, August 22). #MeToo Movement. https://ivypanda.com/essays/metoo-movement/

"#MeToo Movement." IvyPanda , 22 Aug. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/metoo-movement/.

IvyPanda . (2022) '#MeToo Movement'. 22 August.

IvyPanda . 2022. "#MeToo Movement." August 22, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/metoo-movement/.

1. IvyPanda . "#MeToo Movement." August 22, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/metoo-movement/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "#MeToo Movement." August 22, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/metoo-movement/.

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