Why The #MeToo Movement Is Still Powerful

Speaking up and speaking out against wrongdoings should always be supported, but it’s not always that easy.

The infamous “Twitter trolls” and other online bullies can make the internet a hazardous place for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse to tell their stories. Thankfully, there is still a space online going strong to protect the voices of survivors and back their fight for justice that can be found in just a hashtag and two words: #metoo

#MeToo is more than a phrase

Founded in 2006 by survivor and activist, Tarana Burke, the “me too” Movement™ began as a community for Black and brown survivors from all walks of life to provide resources to heal and advocate for their justice.

From there, the hashtag #metoo became a social media movement when actress Alyssa Milano tweeted about her story with sexual abuse on October 2017. Not only did the hashtag spark a much needed conversation about the silencing of people who have experienced abuse, but it also made it possible to seek justice on their behalf—one of the most notable being the arrest and sentencing of former filmmaker Harvey Weinstein on multiple counts of rape.

It’s that type of profound reaction from just two words that has opened the door for more conversation about surviving abuse and seeking to hold people accountable no matter when the wrongdoing was done.

Why it’s never too late to speak out

In 2005, singer Cassie was 19-years-old when she started dating rapper Diddy who was 36-years-old. In a lawsuit filed on November 16th, 2023, Cassie accused the music mogul of a decade’s worth of sexual and physical abuse. The lawsuit has now been settled and granted Cassie, mother of two, $30 million.

Actress Keke Palmer dated Darius Jackson, former boyfriend and father of her 8-month-old son, Leodis, for two years before they officially split this year. Keke shared that during their time as a couple, Jackson was repeatedly physically and emotionally abusive, even breaking into her home. On November 5th, 2023, she was granted a temporary restraining order and temporary sole custody of their son following these events.

While it’s not always a guarantee for an abuser to meet their day in court, we can still celebrate the wins of survivors who found the courage to speak out and encourage other women to do the same when they are ready as their stories deserve to be heard, too.