MeToo movement

# MeToo Movement

---

Who / What

The **MeToo movement** is a global social campaign and awareness initiative aimed at combating sexual abuse, harassment, and systemic rape culture. It empowers survivors—particularly women—to share their experiences publicly, fostering collective action against perpetrators and institutional failures.

---

Background & History

The phrase **"Me Too"** originated in 2006 as a grassroots campaign by sexual assault survivor **Tarana Burke**, who used it on social media (initially on Myspace) to encourage survivors of abuse to speak out. The movement gained traction in 2017 when actress **Ali Wong** and others used the hashtag #MeToo during the Harvey Weinstein scandal, amplifying widespread reports of sexual misconduct against women in Hollywood. This sparked a global wave of survivor testimonies across industries, exposing systemic issues in workplaces, politics, and media.

---

Why Notable

The movement has been pivotal in:

**Exposing systemic abuse** through public testimonies, leading to high-profile investigations (e.g., Weinstein, Brett Kavanaugh).

**Challenging cultural norms**, shifting societal attitudes toward accountability and consent.

**Driving legislative changes**, including the #TimesUp campaign pushing for stronger anti-harassment laws.

Its impact extends beyond activism, influencing corporate policies, legal reforms, and cultural conversations about gender equality.

---

In the News

As of recent years, the MeToo movement remains a defining force in discussions on sexual harassment. Recent developments include:

**Ongoing investigations** into high-profile cases (e.g., former President Trump’s allegations).

**Increased corporate accountability**, with companies adopting anti-harassment policies and diversity initiatives.

**Continued global expansion**, with movements like #BlackLivesMatter intersecting with MeToo to address systemic racism and gender violence.

Its relevance endures as a catalyst for broader social justice reforms.

---

Key Facts

**Type:** Social movement, awareness campaign

**Also known as:**

*#MeToo* (hashtag)

*Tarana Burke’s Movement*

**Founded / Born:** 2006 (social media origin by Tarana Burke)

**Key dates:**

**2017:** #MeToo hashtag explodes during Weinstein scandal.

**2018:** Surge in survivor testimonies across industries.

**2020s:** Intersection with #TimesUp and global activism waves.

**Geography:** Originated in the U.S., now international (global reach).

**Affiliation:** Independent grassroots initiative; no formal parent organization.

---

Links

[Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MeToo_movement)

Sources

• 🔗 Wikipedia

#MeToo is a social movement and awareness campaign against sexual abuse, sexual harassment and rape culture, in which survivors (led by the voices of women, especially public figures) share their experiences of sexual abuse or sexual harassment. The phrase "Me Too" was initially used in this context on social media around 2006, on Myspace, by sexual assault survivor and activist Tarana Burke. The hashtag #MeToo was used starting in 2017 as a way to draw attention to the magnitude of the problem.