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#MeToo is trending on social media

Jennifer Read-Dominguez
Updated
Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

From Digital Spy

In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein investigations, thousands of women are speaking out to show how widespread sexual harassment and assault really is.

Women from all over the world have united on social media with the hashtag 'MeToo' to share their stories of being sexually harassed or assaulted in some way throughout their lives.

#MeToo started trending worldwide on Twitter and Facebook after Charmed actress, Alyssa Milano, put out a call to action on Sunday (October 15) for victims of sexual harassment and assault to "give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem".

Among the celebrities taking to Twitter include Lady Gaga and Westworld star Evan Rachel Wood, who wrote: "Being raped once made it easier to be raped again. I instinctually [sic] shut down. My body remembered, so it protected me. I disappeared. #metoo."

Alyssa Milano's rally call has also sparked off other hashtags too with people in France using "#balancetonporc" or "expose the pig" to encourage women to name and shame their attackers, while "#Womenwhoroar" is being used to encourage victims of sexual abuse to speak up.

In an essay for PatriotNotPartisan.com last week, Milano wrote: "I am constantly part of this conversation even if I don't publicly comment on specific scandals.

"Sexual harassment and assault in the workplace are not just about Harvey Weinstein. We must change things in general. We must do better for women everywhere."

If you have been a victim of sexual assault. Please reply and/or share on your platforms- me too. I have spoken openly about my experiences for years. It was not easy. Only when you are ready. By sharing we commune, we acknowledge, we see we are not alone, we stand up and we become the change through healing one another and affirmative action. The days of remaining in silence and fear need not be. Sexual, verbal, emotional assault have been a consistent. No more. I love you. I honor you. I respect you. With gratitude - Jaime #metoo

A post shared by Jaime King (@jaime_king) on Oct 15, 2017 at 10:30pm PDT

The social media protest comes after actresses, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Rose McGowan, Cara Delevingne and Ashley Judd, have come forward and accused film producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault. He has "unequivocally denied" any allegations of non-consensual sex.

Outside of the showbiz world, the hashtag shows how common the issue is with many people saying they don't actually know one woman who hasn't been harassed or assaulted at some point in her life.

Depressingly, if women who work in the public eye – we're talking stars who have managers and entire teams dedicated to their support and success – are still treated appallingly by men in their industries and are only just beginning to come forward now, it seems there's still a long road of abject disrespect ahead for the rest of us.

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