Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of gender discrimination, rape, sexual violence, and sexual harassment.

The #MeToo movement was founded in 2006 by activist and survivor Tarana Burke. Initially, Burke envisioned the movement to provide healing resources and support to survivors of sexual violence. However, in 2017, the hashtag #MeToo went viral, revealing the widespread nature of sexual violence. The hashtag, which was meant to convey a sense of community and empathy among survivors, soon inspired millions to share their stories of sexual violence.

In a society where men are expected to be powerful and domineering, and women should be passive and accepting, these gender norms can easily be exploited. Gender-based violence and harassment are so normalized and widespread that many survivors convince themselves that what they experienced was normal or that they unwittingly did something to invite the unwanted attention. Because perpetrators often hold positions of power, survivors frequently aren’t believed when they try to report the crime. The #MeToo movement helped survivors see that they were not alone in their experience and helped society understand the magnitude of the problem and unpack some of the cultural norms that allow sexual violence and harassment to go unchecked.