Sexual harassment allegations: #MeToo sparks social change

In recent weeks, social media has been abuzz with the #MeToo movement empowering victims of sexual assault and harassment to speak out on their experiences.

Allegations have been leveled against people from all industries: Harvey Weinstein, producer; Kevin Spacey, actor; Louis C.K., comedian; Ed Westwick, actor; Ben Affleck, actor-director; Roy Moore, Republican nominee in Alabama for a U.S. Senate seat; Brett Ratner, filmmaker; Al Franken; Democratic Senator for the state of Minnesota; Jeremy Piven, actor; Michael Oreskes, NPR news chief; George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States; Steven Seagal, actor; James Toback, writer-director; Chris Savino, producer; Roy Price, Amazon executive; Mark Halperin, journalist; Hamilton Fish, New Republic publisher; Leon Wieseltier, New Republic editor; Jann Wenner, Rolling Stone publisher; Stephen Blackwell, Billboard Magazine executive; Knight Landesman, Artforum publisher; Kirt Webster, CEO of Webster Public Relations; John Besh, celebrity chef; Matthew Weiner, creator of “Mad Men”; Robert Knepper, actor; and Jeffrey Tambor, actor.

With some journalists deeming it the Weinstein effect, it seems more allegations arise every day.

Roy Moore, 70-year-old Republican Senate nominee in Alabama, came under fire after four women detailed their encounters with him to The Washington Post. One woman, Leigh Corfman, said she was 14 when Moore, then 32, approached her. The other three women said they were between the ages of 16 and 18 when Moore, in his 30s, advanced.

As of November 16, Moore was accused of sexual assault or harassment by five other women, in addition to the first four. Moore’s accusers include: Leigh Corfman, Wendy Miller, Debbie Wesson Gibson, Gloria Thacker Deason, Becky Gray, Tina Johnson, Gena Richardson, Kelly Harrison Thorp and Beverly Young Nelson.

“These allegations are completely false and are a desperate political attack by the National Democrat Party and The Washington Post on this campaign,” said Moore.

While some Republicans have withdrawn their support from Moore, others produce claims like, “if these allegations are true,” which some argue are cop-outs. After all, questioning an alleged victim’s honesty begs the question: why would they lie? Attention, some say. Or, perhaps they intend to tarnish the reputation of their alleged assailant.

Moore, himself, finds it suspicious that allegations directed his way only surfaced four weeks prior to the Alabama Senate race.

Regardless of timing, the impact of the #MeToo movement has spread far and wide. Victims have made their voices heard, even after some people attempted to silence them.

Facts and Statistics:

An American is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds.

One out of every 6 American women has been the victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime

Out of every 1,000 rapes, 994 perpetrators will walk free

310 are reported to police

57 reports lead to arrest

11 cases get referred to prosecutors

7 cases lead to a felony conviction

6 rapists will be incarcerated

About 2 out of every 3 rapes go unreported

321,500 Americans 12 and older are sexually assaulted each year on average

Statistics gathered from the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)

#opinions