The #MeToo hashtag has been trending on social media networking sites for over 24 hours, across the globe. In the light of allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein for several cases of sexual harassment, American actor Alyssa Milano, one of the accusers, posted a tweet asking her followers to comment #MeToo if they have faced sexual harassment in their lives.
What followed was unexpected. Thousands of women and hundreds of men — celebrities and regular folk started posting #MeToo indicating the huge number of victims; thereby shaking the netizens.
While it was slowly gaining popularity in Chennai, singer Chinmayi’s tweet with the hashtag reached lakhs of her followers. Her tweet read as follows: “The #MeToo hashtag is heartbreaking. And as real as it gets. I don’t know one woman who hasn’t been groped / leeched at / sexually assaulted in some way. I also have friends, grown men now, who have been raped by older men. If it is difficult for a woman to express she has been sexually violated in some way, it is tougher for the men. People don’t take as much care to educate young boys who are at as much risk as girls. They grow up with scars that never heal. To being groped while I was sleeping at age 8 by ‘a man of God’, to tweets, messages and phone calls that describe graphic rape to someone who ‘got even’ just because I was good at my job by slut shaming me…. Teach your girls. And please teach your boys as well.” (sic)
After her tweets went viral, hundreds of women — young and old, posted what they felt to voice out; what they needed to for a very long time. When asked about the impact that the trend is making, P.C Samyuktha, from a popular theatre group in the city. shares, “People aren’t vocal about such experiences and why will they be? For most women, the abuse comes from their family or their workplaces. They can’t call out their fathers, brothers, uncles or co-workers.
They fall prey to the obligatory system, which is disheartening. The hashtag is proof that thousands are talking about this — it’s a good change according to me. It is building healthy conversations and they will become solutions soon!”
Muthumoorthy Pearlophony, the proprietor of a music production studio was appalled at the number of women who came out about their traumatic stories.
“In my Facebook friend list alone, there were more than 20 women who posted #MeToo. There are many men, who have had irreparable childhoods too. But I had no idea that such was the sad state of affairs. The two words are simple, yet powerful and motivates many people to shell out their insecurities. Since they don’t have to share their horrific stories and just post the hashtag, it is easier for the victims and it will be a successful internet campaign that won’t die soon.”
Stating that the need of the hour is to educate, Samyuktha adds, “Both parents and children, women and men need to be educated about the situation and the statistics. The stigma that sex is a baby-making process that happens only after marriage, should be broken. Sex education is vital.”
Adding that revealing the stories is important, college student and model Tanya Sinha says, “I believe it’s the need of the hour to talk and be open about it. I feel if we don’t talk about it, the abusers think they can get away with whatever they do. The one being abused should know that they aren’t in the wrong — but the abuser is! Everybody should be taught the difference between a good touch and bad touch. If you are in trouble, wherever you are, shout. Shout at the top of your voice till you get help. Don’t keep quiet!”
Psychologist Latha Janaki who deals with such cases on a daily basis feels seriously about the mental state of the victim. “Many abused people feel free to talk to us (doctors) than their own family. At least they are coming out to talk, but some suffocate within which is very bad. That is why we’re here. We need to make sure to organise regular workshops for girls and boys about this from a very young age. The hashtag #MeToo is a good sign that both genders are discussing freely about. We are definitely going towards a better phase on an empowering path!” she concludes.
(With inputs from Janani K)
