After women unite under the #MeToo movement, men respond with #IWill

In the wake of the elite and powerful being stripped of their powerful cloaks that let them prey on others, with women choosing no longer to stay mum about being victims of sexual assault, the #MeToo movement on social media has united victims of sexual abuse, assault, rape and predatory advances.

Ignited by actress Alyssa Milano, granting women all over the world a uniting factor that brought them all together to portray the magnitude of this unfortunate situation, and to bring it to the attention of people all over the world, the #MeToo movement is making it clear that sexual harassment, assault and rape are not as uncommon as many would like to believe.

Harvey Weinstein, accused of several counts of sexual harassment, assault, and rape by more than 20 women including actresses, models and former employees.

A response to how Hollywood has chosen to keep mum amid multiple allegations of rape, sexual assault and harassment against Harvey Weinstein, one of the most powerful men in the industry, the #MeToo movement has elevated the conversation around a subject that many believe is less prevalent.

No longer protected by his money and influence as multiple victims have expressed the harrowing tales of their suffering at the hands of Harvey Weinstein including Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Rose McGowan, Italian actress Lucia Evans, former Weinstein Company employees, Emily Nestor and Lauren Madden, actress Asia Argento, Mira Sorvino, Ambra Battilana Gutierrez, Emma de Caunes, Rosanna Arquette, Jessica Barth, Lauren Sivan, Cara Delevingne and more have accused him of committing activities ranging from indecent exposure, sexually suggestive conditions to sexual assault, harrassment and rape.

Some of the victims who spoke up about about being victimized by Harvey Weinstein. (Left to Right) Rose McGowan, Lauren Sivan, Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow. Lauren Sivan Image Source

Actress Alyssa Milano wanted to shift the emphasis of the discussion towards how thousands, or maybe even millions of women who continue to be sexually assaulted all over the world, and are afraid to speak up due to fear of societal judgement, unnecessary scrutinization of their characters, verbal or physical threats from the victims, and many other reasons.

The Tweet from Alyssa Milano that ignited the #MeToo movement on social media. It has garnered 58k Replies, 21k Retweets and 43k Likes to date.

The #MeToo movement "My hope is people will get the idea of the magnitude, of just how many people have been affected by this in the world, in our lifetimes, in this country," said in a phone interview with The Associated Press on Monday.

It can be difficult, to speak up about something that has scarred their mind and soul, but the strength and courage that came with a community under the hashtag, #MeToo, made it easier for women to speak up. Not many know, the women around them, friends, girlfriends, sisters, mothers and colleagues have been the victims of similar incidents but could never say it out loud, instead suffering in silence.

The #MeToo movement has taken the spotlight off the perpetrators, instead bringing it upon the victims and their plight. Here are some of the most moving, and hard hitting Tweets that are helping the cause.

Here are some of the tweets that provide a snapshot into the unfortunate state of society where women are first assaulted, and then forced to live with it for the fear of being ostracized and blamed. Some of the notable celebrities who spoke up on Twitter and ensured more and more women watched their idols speak up and do the same were, Lady Gaga, Evan Rachel Wood and more.

Thousands of tweets under the hashtag #MeToo were recorded on Twitter, and it has been trending worldwide, across nations and has been covered by every major news source, publication house and content portals. 

Men have paid attention, the ones who indulged in such acts now know that they cannot hide safely behind the victims' silence, and the ones who never helped and turned a blind eye, have vowed to. Twitter users have responded to the #MeToo movement with #IWill, pledging better behaviour, helping whenever they spot a victim in need, to better educate their children about respecting women, and to change their behaviour and make amends if they had indulged in such behaviour in the past.

#IWill has ignited a speak we all have been waiting for.