Men are taking to social media to show solidarity with women in the fight against rape culture
In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, women across the globe pulled together on social media to give victims of everyday sexual harassment a platform to voice their experiences.
#MeToo | We stand with all the women worldwide. Sexual harassment and violence are unacceptable! pic.twitter.com/yZ5XxB9FNs
— ALDE Group (@ALDEgroup) October 17, 2017
Actress Alyssa Milano pioneered the trend and created the “me too” hashtag in an attempt to ‘give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem’.
It soon went viral, with women from all walks of life taking to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to share their personal experiences of sexual harassment from catcalling to groping in the workplace.
If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet. pic.twitter.com/k2oeCiUf9n
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 15, 2017
At one point, up to four women a second responded to the Charmed actress’s message. Within a matter of days, the tweet alone has garnered 31,000 responses.
And although the sheer magnitude of replies will certainly not surprise women, it may finally leverage support from men on a greater scale.
In an attempt to show solidarity, they have also taken to social media to raise awareness of everyday sexual harassment.
Writer Benjamin Law asked men on Twitter to use the hashtag, #HowIWillChange, whether it is a pledge to stand up against sexism in the workplace or a promise to call out ‘lad culture’ when with friends.
Guys, it's our turn.
After yesterday's endless #MeToo stories of women being abused, assaulted and harassed, today we say #HowIWillChange.
— Benjamin Law (@mrbenjaminlaw) October 16, 2017
And within a matter of hours, men from across the globe took to Twitter to share how they plan to support the 30,000 women who have answered, “Me too”:
#HowIWillChange I will keep showing my 3 sons and one grandson how to honor & respect women.
Guys – meaningful change starts in the home.
— Jesse T. Smith (@JSmith4Congress) October 17, 2017
#HowIWillChange I will call out lad culture when I witness it. (I witness it often) https://t.co/f5bGZk9oiY
— I say Hell YEAH!!! (@DancingDanB) October 16, 2017
#HowIWillChange Learning more about women's issues instead of expecting them to explain to me how they are impacted https://t.co/CtbgJQsY5b
— Alex Druce (@AlexDruuuce) October 16, 2017
#HowIWillChange
Be vigilant about my insensitivities/coach other men likewise. This women's issue is a men's problem-Men need to own it!— Richard White (@RixpixCt) October 17, 2017
The hashtag has yet to gain trending momentum but it hopefully marks the beginning of a more open and understanding community where sexual harassment will not be tolerated.
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