You might have been scrolling on your Facebook feed this morning wondering why so many of your friends have status updates saying "me too". Here's an explanation of why your friends are using the hashtag and how this can be a learning experience for everyone.

Last week, Hollywood tycoon Harvey Weinstein actions of abusing women hit the newsstands. Suddenly household names, such as Angelina Jolie, were coming forward saying that they too were victims of Weinstein abuse. People around the world were shocked as woman courageously came out and told their stories.

Sexual harassment and abuse shouldn't be taken lightly. Yet in today's society, they are. When you think of sexual abuse and/or harassment you probably don't think of your best friend or your favorite actor. Typically, when we think about sexual abuse or harassment we think of the numbers.

 During college orientation, the statistics of rape and sexual assault were harped time and time again. One out of five women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted while in college. The numbers are sickening to think about and the idea of it happening to you or someone else is unthinkable.

Sexual assault happens every day. Scratch that every 98 seconds in America (RAINN). Still, we seem to glide over the important topics of conversations when it comes to sexual assault or harassment because it might be 'awkward'.

Yesterday, actress Alyssa Milano courageously came up with the idea to shed light on this problem. By using the hashtag #metoo on social media, friends, family, and peers can see how many people have been affected by sexual harassment or abuse.


The unfortunate reality is this: it is all too common. I hope that seeing the #metoo hashtags will be a wakeup call and show you that these people are more than just numbers. It is your aunt, sister, best friend, boyfriend, and even maybe yourself. Sexual harassment and assault are real and we need to find a way to stop it.