Following the revelations regarding American film producer Harvey Weinstein’s history of alleged sexual assaults, social media on Monday was flooded with women from all over the country recounting experiences of sexual assault they have faced.
It all started after actress Alyssa Milano started a campaign on Twitter using the words “Me Too”. Under the same tag, hundreds of women shared their personal experiences both on Twitter and Facebook.
Support pours in
“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,” posted Ms. Milano on Twitter.
Actress Suchitra Krishnamoorthi wrote, “Any girl who has ever used public transport in India – local buses/trains, has been a victim of sexual molestation and harassment. #MeToo.”
Throughout the day support poured in from all sections with the hashtag #MeToo going viral. Another twitter user wrote, “I can’t speak for the US, but most sexual violence against women in India happens at home and usually by a male family member. Not #MeToo.”
‘At the workplace’
Recounting the horror of being molested at a young age, Twitter user by the name of Kiwi Kali wrote, “Stopped by a man on a bike in India, age 10, “asking for directions”. He grabbed by (non-existent) breast. Never told my parents. #MeToo.”
Talking about sexual advances made by seniors even at the workplace, journalist Anisha Dutta wrote, “On his last day at work... he took it way too far... and grabbed me in front of everyone at a public place outside work. Meanwhile, upon complaining formally, I was questioned about my character for agreeing to go out on such gatherings with my colleagues. I was questioned by someone who happens to be a senior editor at a leading business daily on why I would even go at night to a party.”
She added that the person was even hired by a leading daily, having faced no action for his behaviour. Author and columnist Meghna Pant posted, “In Saudi they behead men who rape. In China they castrate them. In North Korea it’s the firing squad. In India all we can do is say #MeToo.”
