#MeToo campaign prompted by Weinstein a good start: rape crisis centre

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A local rape crisis centre says a social media campaign to highlight the prevalence of sexual assault is only a good start when it comes to tackling the issue.

Thousands of women are identifying themselves as victims of sexual harassment or assault following a call to action propelled by actress Alyssa Milano in the wake of Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein’s downfall over of allegations of sexual misconduct spanning decades. They’re using the #MeToo hashtag.

Hilla Kerner with Vancouver Rape Relief says the social media campaign is creating a sense of solidarity among victims.

“It’s a way for women to get awareness for the magnitude of the problem of sexual assault and rape.”

She says expressing solidarity is important but more needs to be done.

“We cannot just send the message out there to the virtual world we actually have to take an active action together.”

“We need to take it to the next level, to come together as women and to transform the powers between men and women in our society”

“We just should not conflate the catharsis that comes from knocking one man with power down and the actual transformation of the power relationship between men and women.”

She’s encouraging women who want support, or who want to hold perpetrators to account, to contact their local rape crisis centre.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today