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Me Too Movement

The Me Too movement is a social movement against sexual harassment and sexual violence.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Me Too movement is a social movement against sexual harassment and sexual violence. It was founded in 2006 by Tarana Burke and gained worldwide prominence in 2017 after the hashtag #MeToo spread widely on social media.

History

Tarana Burke founded the Me Too movement in 2006 to support survivors of sexual violence, especially young women of color from low-wealth communities. The movement existed for years before becoming globally prominent in 2017.

2017 expansion

The movement gained major visibility in 2017 when the hashtag #MeToo spread widely on social media. Public reports of sexual misconduct involving Harvey Weinstein helped accelerate the campaign.

Goals and themes

The movement aims to support survivors, raise awareness of sexual harassment and abuse, and challenge power imbalances that allow abuse to continue. Its work emphasizes empathy, accountability, and healing.

Impact

The movement helped push sexual misconduct into public debate across entertainment, workplaces, politics, and other sectors. It also influenced broader conversations about consent, abuse reporting, and institutional response.

Key facts

  • The movement was founded by Tarana Burke in 2006.
  • Its early work focused on helping survivors of sexual violence find support and healing.
  • The hashtag #MeToo became widely used in 2017.
  • The movement drew major attention after allegations against Harvey Weinstein became public.
  • It expanded public discussion of sexual harassment, abuse, and workplace power dynamics.
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Canadian context

The movement has been relevant in Canada through public discussions of workplace harassment, sexual violence, and survivor support, and it has influenced Canadian media, institutions, and policy debates.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded the Me Too movement?
Tarana Burke founded the movement in 2006.
What does #MeToo mean?
It is a phrase used by survivors to signal that they have experienced sexual harassment or sexual violence.
When did the movement become widely known?
It became widely known in 2017 after the hashtag spread on social media.
What is the movement’s main purpose?
Its main purpose is to support survivors and raise awareness of sexual harassment and abuse.
Was the movement only about workplace misconduct?
No. It began with support for survivors of sexual violence and later broadened to include abuse and harassment in many settings.

References

  1. Me Too Movement — https://metoomvmt.org/get-to-know-us/history-inception/
    Supports: Founded in 2006 by Tarana Burke; early mission focused on survivor support and healing.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Me-Too-movement
    Supports: Overview of the movement, its 2017 prominence, and association with sexual harassment and abuse.
  3. Global Fund for Women — https://www.globalfundforwomen.org/movements/me-too/
    Supports: 2006 founding by Tarana Burke and focus on survivors, especially young women of color.
  4. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/20/us/me-too-movement-tarana-burke.html
    Supports: Tarana Burke as founder and the movement’s origins before the 2017 hashtag surge.