#MeToo: Sports fraternity comes together on Twitter to open up about sexual harassment

What's the story

The hashtag "MeToo" was started on Sunday by actress Alyssa Milano, who encouraged people to reply “me, too” to her tweet about being a victim of sexual harassment or assault as a way to show how pervasive the problem is. This hashtag has been tweeted half a million times in the past 24 hours, a Twitter spokeswoman said on Monday. The avalanche of painful personal stories is seen as a first of its kind social outburst on sexual harrasment.

In France, a similar campaign with the top-trending hashtag #balancetonporc (“Expose the pig”) saw women share their experiences of being sexually harassed at work or in the street. This campaign has even spread to India with many celebreties venting out their pain on Twitter.

#Metoo trend in Sports community

#Metoo has also brought out alarming acknowledgement of female stars about sexual harrassment in sports. From hearing catcalls to being touched inappropriately by coaches or staff, all of this has torched the freedom of women in sports.

As a woman working in sports, I could write quite the tell-all book about my experiences...players, coaches, GMs & many more. ? #MeToo

— Rachel Lewis (@tripledekephoto) October 16, 2017

#MeToo - should I name them? @MLB executive ? Former Big name lawyer? Sports investor? I hope they are sweating... #NOTokay

— Krissy Lefebvre (@FrenchChefWife) October 16, 2017

Some of them even vented out their whole horrific story.

The community was owned by the owner of a local sports team (maybe still is?). One day, a builder walked into the office while.. #MeToo 2/10

— Jamie K (@justagirlyall) October 17, 2017

and said, "I love it when you wear your hair up." He walked away like nothing happened. I sat in shock, then ran crying to the.. #MeToo 4/10

— Jamie K (@justagirlyall) October 17, 2017

would touch my case, although they all agreed I had one, because of who the owner of the development was. The next weekend, I.. #MeToo 6/10

— Jamie K (@justagirlyall) October 17, 2017

complete bullshit reasons. I knew exactly what had happened. And I was powerless because no one would take on this team's owner. #MeToo 8/10

— Jamie K (@justagirlyall) October 17, 2017

climate would have the guts to take my case. Being that powerless girl still makes me feel less than, and I hate it. #MeToo 10/10

— Jamie K (@justagirlyall) October 17, 2017

Author's take

With all these social venting we can see that sexual harassment is very much prevelant in Sports. Infact, there are still many girls who have chosen not to speak up, otherwise the number of tweets would have been shaming for every male.

The #MeToo campaign is the latest example of hashtag activism, and its effectiveness is already being debated. But no one can deny that it brings even more attention to the harassment and abuse that women from all walks of life, in many different industries, are facing.