To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.

×
Sexual Assault Survivors Break Collective Silence With Viral #MeToo Hashtag

Actress Alyssa Milano posted this explanation of the "Me too" campaign to her Twitter profile on Sunday, Oct. 15. (Photo: @Alyssa_Milano/Twitter)

Sexual Assault Survivors Break Collective Silence With Viral #MeToo Hashtag

In the wake of reports about Harvey Weinstein's alleged misconduct, victims of sexual harassment and assault are posting the two-word message

In the wake of bombshell reports revealing rampant allegations of sexual misconduct by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, survivors of sexual harassment and assault have taken to social media with the #MeToo hashtag as a way to raise awareness about "the magnitude of the problem."

The campaign was popularized by actress Alyssa Milano, whose Charmed co-star Rose McGowan is one of Weinstein's accusers. McGowan's suspension from Twitter last week provoked #WomenBoycottTwitter, and subsequent promises from Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey that company leaders are focused "on making some critical decisions" and have "decided to take a more aggressive stance in our rules and how we enforce them."

Many #MeToo posts included an explanation of the campaign that Milano tweeted on Sunday: "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."

Posters included public figures such as other actresses and politicians.

Some were quick to point out that those sharing their stories--or simply the "me too" message--on social media did not account for every survivor of sexual misconduct.

The campaign triggered expressions of solidarity, including from the Women's March account, which thanked survivors for their "bravery to speak up."

Multiple advocacy groups posted messages of support, and shared relevant statistics and links to resources.

It even spurred a response hashtag: #IWill, a public declaration that the user will participate in actions to eradicate sexual harassment and assault.

Join Us: News for people demanding a better world


Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place.

We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference.

Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today!

Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
#metooharvey weinsteinpeople powersexual assaultwomenwomens march

In the wake of bombshell reports revealing rampant allegations of sexual misconduct by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, survivors of sexual harassment and assault have taken to social media with the #MeToo hashtag as a way to raise awareness about "the magnitude of the problem."

The campaign was popularized by actress Alyssa Milano, whose Charmed co-star Rose McGowan is one of Weinstein's accusers. McGowan's suspension from Twitter last week provoked #WomenBoycottTwitter, and subsequent promises from Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey that company leaders are focused "on making some critical decisions" and have "decided to take a more aggressive stance in our rules and how we enforce them."

Many #MeToo posts included an explanation of the campaign that Milano tweeted on Sunday: "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."

Posters included public figures such as other actresses and politicians.

Some were quick to point out that those sharing their stories--or simply the "me too" message--on social media did not account for every survivor of sexual misconduct.

The campaign triggered expressions of solidarity, including from the Women's March account, which thanked survivors for their "bravery to speak up."

Multiple advocacy groups posted messages of support, and shared relevant statistics and links to resources.

It even spurred a response hashtag: #IWill, a public declaration that the user will participate in actions to eradicate sexual harassment and assault.

In the wake of bombshell reports revealing rampant allegations of sexual misconduct by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, survivors of sexual harassment and assault have taken to social media with the #MeToo hashtag as a way to raise awareness about "the magnitude of the problem."

The campaign was popularized by actress Alyssa Milano, whose Charmed co-star Rose McGowan is one of Weinstein's accusers. McGowan's suspension from Twitter last week provoked #WomenBoycottTwitter, and subsequent promises from Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey that company leaders are focused "on making some critical decisions" and have "decided to take a more aggressive stance in our rules and how we enforce them."

Many #MeToo posts included an explanation of the campaign that Milano tweeted on Sunday: "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."

Posters included public figures such as other actresses and politicians.

Some were quick to point out that those sharing their stories--or simply the "me too" message--on social media did not account for every survivor of sexual misconduct.

The campaign triggered expressions of solidarity, including from the Women's March account, which thanked survivors for their "bravery to speak up."

Multiple advocacy groups posted messages of support, and shared relevant statistics and links to resources.

It even spurred a response hashtag: #IWill, a public declaration that the user will participate in actions to eradicate sexual harassment and assault.

#metooharvey weinsteinpeople powersexual assaultwomenwomens march