What is the Me Too Movement? What is the Me Too Congress Act? 

What is the Me Too Movement?

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The Me Too movement is a social movement that fights against sexual harassment and abuse. Its mission is to promote a community of empathy and healing between survivors. The Me Too movement empowers victims of sexual abuse, especially victims who are Black, queer, trans, and disabled, to come forth with their experience and stand together in solidarity. 

 

The Me Too movement was founded in 2006 by Tarana Burke, a sexual assault survivor, who was inspired to start the movement to help survivors like herself. After a decade of its inception, the #metoo hashtag became viral across the internet after actress Alyssa Milano encouraged women who had been sexually assaulted to use the #metoo hashtag on social media. In doing so, the hashtag became a way for women around the world to come together with their experiences and therefore, demonstrate the sheer amount of women who have experienced sexual assault.

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Just in 2017 alone, the #metoo hashtag was used over 14 million times and 425 prominent public figures were accused of sexual violence.

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What is the ME TOO Congress Act?

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The ME TOO Congress Act amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) by improving the process for reporting allegations of sexual harassment and prevention methods. Specifically, the ME TOO Congress Act:

• Gives the complainant the option to work remotely during the pendency of procedures

• Requires annual sexual harassment training for members and staff, including how to respond to incidents of sexual harassment

• Requires for there to be an online platform where employees can initiate the reporting process

• Waives the legal practice of “mandatory mediation,” which requires a neutral third-party member to help resolve the dispute between two parties. This prerequisite for filing a complaint usually results in offenders avoiding being charged or punished

• Give interns and fellows the same sexual harassment and assault protections as full-time staff, since many reports of sexual harassment are allegedly committed towards interns.