Women Chapter Desk:
According to BBC, Women and men from all over the globe who have been sexually harassed have been sharing their stories across social media using the hashtag “me too” to show the magnitude of sexual assault.
Muktasree Chakma Sathi, a rights activist from Bangladesh, narrated her stories of horror as she” decided to walk down in the bad memories’ lane and cry like hell and write down few of them -here in my post. Why? I explained that too “
https://www.facebook.com/sathi.chakma.5/posts/10155891929457340
Posts shared across social media platforms indeed demonstrate that it has been an issue that has been happening since long and cuts across gender, race, ethnicity and other boundaries.
I remember when I was little I used to think it was ok because he was my step dad. Later I realized it wasn't. None of it was. #MeToo
— Samara Redway (@samararedway) October 16, 2017
I struggle to remember a night out where I haven't been groped by a stranger. It's often anonymous and it sickens me. Don't touch me #MeToo
— Nicola (@NicolaJaney) October 16, 2017
#MeToo I was raped by my ex I have been touched or groped so many times I lost count. I've been harassed in the street I will not be silent
— Simone Hill (@gothinisity) October 16, 2017
https://www.facebook.com/rokeya.chy/posts/10214448935480959
https://www.facebook.com/leesa.gazi/posts/10155209373652746
https://www.facebook.com/smneera/posts/10214328007297855
According to Devika Mittal, a peace activist based in India, it is important to address the issue of sexual assault and end victim blaming:
https://www.facebook.com/devikasmittal/posts/10159346122035063
While it is a powerful campaign, some are worried if it will be able to have any lasting impact. Sandhya Nair, a researcher based in Delhi wrote on Facebook: ” I am afraid ‘Me Too’ would become just another status update. I am afraid ‘They too’ will make us all more numb towards gender related harrassment and assualts of varying magnitude. I am afraid the multiple expressions of pain could lead to boredom and banality towards the very idea.”
While it is not a compulsion on everyone to speak up, as suggested by a twitter user, not every survivor owes us their story, it is a praiseworthy step towards breaking the taboo and silence. It is important to put an end to victim blaming.