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The Way We Look At Sexual Harassment In The Workplace Is Changing For The Better
As Harvey Weinstein potentially faces life imprisonment, the power of the #MeToo movement has become clear.
07.02.18
As Harvey Weinstein potentially faces life imprisonment for a series of sexual assault charges, the power of #MeToo has become clear.
<p>The movement got <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-me-too-timeline-20171208-htmlstory.html">its official start in 2006</a> when activist Tarana Burke came up with the phrase “Me Too” to help women who had dealt with sexual violence. Immediately following the Harvey Weinstein allegations — which started with Ashley Judd <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41594672">accusing Weinstein</a> in October 2017 — actress <a href="https://twitter.com/alyssa_milano/status/919659438700670976">Alyssa Milano tweeted</a> asking anyone who had been sexually harassed or assaulted to reply “me too.”</p><p>The movement turned into an effective takedown of those in power who are committing sexual offenses — and a recent <a href="http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2018/04/04/sexual-harassment-at-work-in-the-era-of-metoo/">Pew Research study</a> showed that #MeToo is certainly on its way to bringing lasting change.</p><h2>Believing women</h2><p>A<span class="lede">ccording to the study,</span> more Americans than ever realize that men getting away with sexual harassment <a href="http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2018/04/04/sexual-harassment-at-work-in-the-era-of-metoo/">is a serious issue</a> and that not believing female accusers is a huge problem. The study found that, to respondents, the prospect of being disbelieved is a much bigger concern than “employers firing men before finding out all the facts or women making false accusations.” </p><p>When you look at this survey through the lens of party politics, the impact <a href="http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2018/04/04/sexual-harassment-at-work-in-the-era-of-metoo/">is more polarized</a>: About 60% of Democrats are concerned about men getting away with sexual harassment and women not being believed. In contrast, about 30% of Republicans say they feel the same way.</p><p>A <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/methodology/u-s-survey-research/american-trends-panel/">survey Pew conducted</a> in February and March reported that Americans are more concerned with eliminating sexual harassment in the workplace than they are about the impact on falsely accused men.</p><p>Though it’s led to big advances toward equity in the workplace, there have been concerns as to whether #MeToo will actually impact lasting change. But for now, it remains a positive movement as long as it helps raise awareness and sheds light on long-ignored issues.</p>
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