There were more than 12 Million Facebook comments, posts and reactions in 24 hours by 4.7 Million people around the world in regards to the "Me Too" campaign.
This movement is quickly becoming one of the most powerful, bold and courageous movements on the internet. While writing this article a multitude of thoughts ran through my mind. "What if someone sees it and asks me about it?" "What about my abuser?" Girls are risking their lives on social media to share their stories in hopes that it will shine some light on how messed up this world is. (and when I say risking their lives, I mean it. Men today are killing girls for confessing about rape and abuse.)
And the sad part is, some people are still dismissing it as a cry for attention, another way to hate men, another way to promote feminism.
I was scared to take the initiative to pursue my involvement in the campaign, then I took a step back to realize why I had that fear in the first place. The stigma around sexual assault was the cause of my fear, and that is what I couldn't let go unnoticed.
How many people are going to go through this horrible experience in order for it to get attention?
Is this REALLY what we are going to take away from so many courageous women confessing their stories?
NEWSFLASH-- the people who are trying to stay above the water and fight hard as hell are just getting pushed back down by society.
and then America will ask why no one said anything when its too late.
What America needs to see is that people like me have broken barriers, fought for years with PTSD and other thoughts of what may happen if we come forward and yet still do. Why is it so difficult as a society to come together to love and support those who deserve it and kill the silence?
Ethical lines may be blurry to some, and social normals are always blooming but when is it every okay to violate someones body or mind without their consent?
This campaign is allowing us to view sexual assault without the bias of thinking why it happened or who "provoked" it to happen. We can take a look around us and understand that they too have been through something without pointing fingers or creating stereotypes, labeling or shaming. There are two stigmas that are blurred from this movement. One, that there is a certain kind of person who can fall victim to assault. Two, that there is an easily identifiable person who will commit assault.
I don't want this topic to remain silent, these types of problems thrive on silence. People can't plea ignorance when consent becomes common knowledge and common practice. It is becoming a common experience for women. We as a society need to teach people that it is never okay to sexually harass or sexually assault someone. Too many people have been traumatized by sexual assault, harassment, rape and violence.
All that we are left with is the scars that are left behind and the courage to say Me too.