Alyssa Milano's #MeToo Campaign Prompts Thousands to Share Sexual Harassment and Assault Stories
Amid numerous lurid allegations against Harvey Weinstein, a social media hashtag is encouraging women to share their stories and shine a light on just how widespread sexual harassment and assault are.
Read: Woman Raped by Neighbor, Who Then Offered to Do Yard Work: Cops
The #MeToo hashtag appeared all over Twitter, Facebook and Instagram Sunday after actress Alyssa Milano posted a note on Twitter that read:
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
She asked Twitter uses to reply “me too” to her tweet if they’d “been sexually harassed or assaulted.” Thousands of responses poured in as a result.
Some women simply wrote “me too,” while others described their experiences.
Me, too @Alyssa_Milano. When I was in the military, my date wanted sex. I said no. He ripped my shirt. I jumped out of the car. I was lucky.
— Lisa J (@LisaJanieMcG) October 16, 2017
As a sixth grader, a group of boys held me against a wall as they pulled up my shirt to "see if I stuffed my bra with Charmin or Bounty."
— Cat 🇺🇸Milspo (@catie4real) October 15, 2017
Don't think I know a single woman who hasn't been sexually harassed at work, school, or on the street (most of us have experienced all 3).
— Lily S. Axelrod (@LilySAxelrod) October 15, 2017
Celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Evan Rachel Wood, Rose McGowan and Rosario Dawson were also among those joining the campaign.
Because I was shamed and considered a "party girl" I felt I deserved it. I shouldnt have been there, I shouldn't have been "bad" #metoo
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) October 16, 2017
According to Twitter, #MeToo has been tweeted nearly half a million times in the past 24 hours.
Read: Sex Offender Who Allegedly Raped Girl, 12, Gets Joint Custody of Her Child
Milano co-starred with Rose McGowan, who has publicly accused Weinstein of raping her, in Charmed, and has published her thoughts on the Weinstein scandal on her website.
"To the women who have come forward against a system that is designed to keep you silent, I stand in awe of you and appreciate you and your fortitude," Milano wrote. "It is not easy to disclose such experiences, especially in the public eye. Your strength will inspire others."
Watch: Woman Says She Fought Off Sex Offender Who Attacked Her After Self-Defense Class
