#MeToo: When Social Media Can Actually Destigmatize

#MeToo And judging by my Facebook feed, #YouToo. For those living under a Facebook rock, the #MeToo hashtag exposes just how pervasive sexual violence is. It lives in seedy basement frat houses and corporate halls of power. And while I frequently disparage social media activism (it is more social than activism — at least from my perspective), the #MeToo hashtag resonates more than #ThrowbackThursday, #FlashbackFriday, or some other silly social media moniker.   Why? Because for many sexual assault survivors, silence is a death sentence. You suffer in tortured agony; your inner turmoil cloaked in a cheery countenance. But underneath that forced smile, you are suffocating under the weight of searing self-flagellation: Why me? Did I do something wrong? Maybe this is my fault (it isn’t)? Perhaps because of my own experiences, I am more sensitive to sexual assault’s scars. And, at times, society’s collective shoulder shrug emoji to sexual assault’s brutality. From snickering, “What were you doing out at 2 am wearing that?” bromides to searing accusations about a victim’s sexual history, rape culture is alive and well. Indeed, a Twitter spokesman confirmed that #MeToo had been tweeted out nearly half a million times during the first 24 hours. Scrolling through my friends’ social media feeds, I alternated belief disbelief and disgust. Grab it (that would be my undivided attention) by the tweet. While commending sexual assault survivors for exposing an ugly &...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Men's Issues Personal Sexuality Stigma Violence and Aggression Women's Issues Abuse and victims Harvey Weinstein Hollywood Me Too Rape rape culture Sexual Abuse Sexual Assault Sexual Harassment Sexual Violence Source Type: blogs