#METOO MOVEMENT AND SAFETY OF WOMEN

- Anurag Chauhan and Aastha Agnihotri

1st Year, BA LLB student, CNLU.

“Suddenly, a movement to centre survivors of sexual violence is being talked about as a

vindictive plot against men” said Tarana Burke, the founder of #METOO Movement.1

Social media in today’s era plays a vital role in giving voices to the social movements and
restructuring our outlook to the problem. Recently one such movement has started in India after
the actress Tanushree Dutta came forward with explosive allegations of sexual misconduct
against a veteran Bollywood actor Nana Patekar. The movement has gained a wave of support
from other women who shared their stories under the common hashtag #metoo. Recently, a
journalist, Priya Ramani, has accused MJ Akbar, junior minister for external affairs in Modi’s
government, for sexually harassing her when she was a 23 year-old reporter and Akbar was a
newspaper editor. The metoo movement started from Hollywood and it became an internet
sensation in 2017 after the tweet of the Hollywood actress Alyssa Milano in which she said that
if any woman has ever been sexually harassed or assaulted, she could reply metoo in that tweet
which prompted many women to come forward who were ashamed and scared to tell the truth.
The movement got a huge response from around 85 countries because the #metoo was trending
in 85 countries. Although the movement has spread worldwide, it has received many criticisms
as well which is very well covered in the research paper. This research paper will analyze the
#metoo movement to predict real world outcomes as direct consequences of sexual harassment
that is plaguing the society and it will be also about the importance of safety of women in this
era in the Indian context with a reference to other countries (especially US).

1
“#MeToo has been misrepresented as a plot against men, says founder”, The Guardian(December 1,2018 12:15),
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/30/metoo-has-been-misrepresented-as-plot-against-men-says-
founder
 1. INTRODUCTION

The research paper basically consists of #metoo movement and its impact especially in Indian
context with a reference to the world(especially US). Importance of safety of women in this era
in the context of #metoo movement is also very well discussed in the paper. The link between the
#metoo movement and safety of women is explained in this paper. If the people and the
government is unaware about the manner in which the incidents of sexual harassment and
molestation take place, it would be difficult for the government as well as the for the society to
provide safety to women and to make women secure from these evil acts of men As the readers
already know that #metoo movement originated from United States of America but very few
among the readers would be aware about the founder of the movement. Although Alyssa
Milano’s tweet of #metoo on twitter made this movement popular and famous worldwide but
Alyssa Milano was not the founder of this campaign. Tarana Bruke is the founder of this
movement. She has expressed her concern for the #metoo movement and she said that the
movement has deviated from its real motive of supporting the women who has faced sexual
violence to a movement which is used as a vindictive plot against men. So, the research paper is
all about the analysis of the #metoo movement.

2. #ME TOO MOVEMENT IN INDIA

After Alyssa Milano’s tweet of #metoo on Twitter, the movement became popular not only in
United States but also in other parts of the world including India. In India, many women shared
their story of sexual harassment with a common hash tag me too on Facebook, Twitter and other
social websites as well. But the movement got more attention after the allegation of Bollywood
actress Tanushree Dutta on Nana Patekar for misbehaving with her on a film set in 2008.2 She
said that she decided to leave the film industry after she was harassed by Nana Patekar on the
sets of her film, Horn OK Pleassss. She told that Nana had demanded her to shoot an intimate
dance step with him. Janice Sequeira was the first one among the journalists to support the claim

2
#MeToo movement: Sexual harassment allegations so far , The Times of India(January 4, 2019, 11:00PM),
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/metoo-movement-sexual-harassment-allegations-so-
far/articleshow/66267346.cms
of Tanushree Dutta. She said in a tweet that she had been present on the set on that day after the
alleged incident took place. She said that she saw Tanushree rushing into her van after which the
goons surrounded her van and they started banging the door of the van. She even saw the Mrs.
Dutta’s car being attacked.3 Nana Patekar in his press conference said that the allegations were
wrong and 200 people were present on the set on that day and every event happened in front of
their eyes.4 So, after this tweet the #metoo movement became more famous in India and many
women shared their stories of sexual harassment on social media.

Gaurav Bhatia, Sotheby’s managing director of India, resigned on 20th December 2018, after
working with the company for 2 years. Anonymous allegations were made against him on social
media. As per the allegations, he touched the victims inappropriately and tried to forcible kiss
them. He resigned after a month he went on a leave after the allegations were made on him for
sexual misconduct. He told that he decided to resign because he wanted to ‘move on’ after 2 year
successful years.5

This movement is not confined only to the celebrities and various famous personalities; it has its
impact even on university and students. In Symbiosis Centre for Media and Communication,
about 10 students and alumni shared their experience in which they alleged two faculty members
and few senior students for molestation and sexual harassment. The principal director of the
Symbiosis Society assured that he followed the UGC rules and an internal complaint committee
had been formed for the investigation which consists of vice-chancellor, registrar, dean and the
director of the institution.6 The two lecturers were suspended after the report of the committee
came up. The principle director said on the complaint of molestation and sexual harassment

3
Ibid

4
What sexual harassment? Nana Patekar asks on Tanushree’s #MeToo Financial Express(January 5, 2019,
10:15PM), https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/what-sexual-harassment-nana-patekar-asks-on-
tanushrees-metoo/1329224/
5
Gaurav Bhatia resigns as Sotheby’s India MD, month after Me Too allegations, Hindustan Times(January 6, 2019,
9:15PM), https://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/gaurav-bhatia-resigns-as-sotheby-s-india-md-month-
after-me-too-allegations/story-U5waDF7qKgaRLx6b285ytM.html
6
Pankaj K. Khelkar, #MeToo: Symbiosis students accuse faculty, seniors of harassment, India Today(January 7,
2019, 11:15PM), https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/-metoo-symbiosis-students-accuse-faculty-seniors-of-
harassment-1366779-2018-10-12
against the seniors that the seniors or boys did not harass the girls, infact the girls had
relationship with them and he also said that it would be wrong to interfere with the girl’s choice
of having physical relationship with a boy or senior.7

Priya Ramani, a senior journalist, accused MJ Akbar, ex-junior minister for external affairs in
Modi’s government, for sexually harassing her when she was a 23 year-old reporter and Akbar
was a newspaper editor. So, this alleged incident took place 20 years ago. Ramani was followed
by several other journalists as well for alleging MJ Akbar for acts of sexual misconduct and
harassment. MJ Akbar has filed a case for criminal defamation against Priya Ramani in Delhi
High Court.8 MJ Akbar has said to court that immediate damage has been caused to him due to
these allegations which he considers as false and concocted. MJ Akbar had to resign from the
Union Council of Ministers, after this allegation on him, on October 17.9 MJ Akbar is one of the
most powerful people in India against whom the allegations have been made in the context of
#metoo movement.

Subodh Gupta is a leading contemporary artist who has been accused by his co-worker
anonymously on an online platform for his acts of sexual misconduct. This allegation made by
his co-author was supported by various other women who had worked with him.10

3. #METOO MOVEMENT IN US

The #metoo movement started from USA. Tarana Bruke is the founder of this movement. She is
a social activist. She has been a victim of sexual assault. She gave the phrase “Me Too” and
started the metoo movement in 2006 to help the girls and women of colour who have been victim

7
Pankaj K. Khelkar, Two faculty members of Symbiosis University suspended after allegations of sexual harassment
, India Today(January 10, 2019, 8:00PM)https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/two-faculty-members-of-
symbiosis-university-suspended-after-allegations-of-sexual-harassment-1372317-2018-10-21
8
Women vs MJ Akbar: Defamation case against Priya Ramani in court today, India Today(January 11, 2019,
7PM)https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mj-akbar-priya-ramani-defamation-case-in-court-today-1370326-
2018-10-18
9
MJ Akbar's reputation destroyed due to Priya Ramani's allegation, former colleague tells Delhi court, The
Economic Times(January 12, 2019, 9:10 PM)https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/mj-
akbars-reputation-destroyed-due-to-priya-ramanis-allegation-former-colleague-tells-delhi-
court/articleshow/66589389.cms
10
TNN &Agencies,#MeToo: Artist Subodh Gupta accused of misconduct, TheTimes of India(January 12, 2019,
10:10PM)https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/metoo-artist-subodh-gupta-accused-of-
misconduct/articleshow/67085505.cms
sexual violence.11 The movement became popular and an international sensation after the tweet
of Alyssa Milano. She wrote in her tweet that if any girl or women have ever been a victim of
sexual harassment or assault then should reply #metoo to her tweet.12 The movement got
immense support from various parts of the world after this tweet. Women from all over the world
started sharing their experiences of sexual harassment, sexual assault or rape on social media
under a common hashtag “metoo’. Many famous personalities and celebrities from US have been
accused of sexual harassment and sexual assault in the light of this movement. The renowned
Hollywood director Harvey Weinstein has been accused of sexual assault by various actresses
who had worked with him. On 5 October, 2017 an article was published in New York Times
which contained allegations of sexual harassment against Harvey Weinstein (that happened
decades before) by the two actresses Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd.13 More than 80 women
have accused him of sexual assault and rape.14 On 25th May 2018, Harvey Weinstein was
arrested for rape and other offences and then released on bail.15 Many Hollywood actors,
politicians and other powerful people have been accused in the #metoo movement for sexual
assault or harassment. Sylvester Stallone is also one of the actors accused in this movement. His
attorney told to the CNN Media house that the accuser had consensual relation with Stallone
during the 80s. The case is currently reviewed by Los Angeles County Task Force.16

11
Abby Ohlheiser,The woman behind ‘Me Too’ knew the power of the phrase when she created it — 10 years ago,
The Intersect(13 January , 2019, 11:11PM) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-
intersect/wp/2017/10/19/the-woman-behind-me-too-knew-the-power-of-the-phrase-when-she-created-it-10-
years-ago/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.ddfde649da5c
12
1 year since Alyssa Milano’s first #MeToo tweet: Have things actually changed for women? , Irish
Examiner(January 14 , 2019, 11:11AM)https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/lifestyle/healthandlife/1-
year-since-alyssa-milanos-first-metoo-tweet-have-things-actually-changed-for-women-875824.html
13
Harvey Weinstein timeline: How the scandal unfolded , BBC (January 14, 2019, 12:10PM)
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41594672
14
Janice Williams, HARVEY WEINSTEIN ACCUSERS: OVER 80 WOMEN NOW CLAIM PRODUCER
SEXUALLY ASSAULTED OR HARASSED THEM, Newsweek(January 14, 2019, 11:10PM)
https://www.newsweek.com/harvey-weinstein-accusers-sexual-assault-harassment-696485
15
Harvey Weinstein charged with rape following New York arrest , BBC(January 15, 2019,
08:15AM)https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44257202
16
Post-Weinstein, These Are the Powerful Men Facing Sexual Harassment Allegations , Glamour(January 15, 2019,
10:10PM)https://www.glamour.com/gallery/post-weinstein-these-are-the-powerful-men-facing-sexual-
harassment-allegations
 4. CRITICISM OF THE #METOO MOVEMENT

Although the #metoo movement got a lot of support from people of various parts of the world
but it received a lot of criticisms also. The movement faced main resistance from France where
100 women led by Catherine Deneuve wrote an open letter to Le Monde. The letter challenged
the basic aims and assumptions of the movement. In the letter, it was written that the movement
has targeted more on spreading the hatred for men than on challenging the patriarchy or
empowering the women.17

According to an Australian report of The Art of Mentoring, after the #metoo movement, 25
percent of men have admitted that they were nervous while working alone with the female
colleagues. In an American Report, it was mentioned that the number of men has tripled who are
in senior positions and feel uncomfortable in mentoring women.18

Women Journalist Shubha Shetty criticized #metoo movement. She told in a tweet that the
internet should not be made a ‘scary’ place for men and for this she suggested that stories of
those men should be shared on social media who had been good to women.19

There are many negative effects of #metoo movement. The first one is that men will have to
struggle to adjust with the new rules of engagement with women at the workplace. This might
happen due to confusion about the new workplace etiquettes which has been made in various
countries after the impact of #metoo campaign. The other negative effect would be that various
cases of fake allegations will appear. There could be many cases in which the girl or women had
a consensual sexual relationship with a man in past but if currently she is not in good terms with
that guy then she can make allegations on him with #metoo for sexual assault or rape in past. So,
there’s a high consequence for such cases which will be registered due to #metoo movement
because #metoo is all about those women who have ever faced sexual violence in past and the

17
Felicity Chaplin, The problems with the #MeToo movement, Financial Review(January 16, 2019,
2:00AM)https://www.afr.com/lifestyle/the-problems-with-the-metoo-movement-20180612-h119w9
18
Natalie Wolfe, Strategies used by men ‘scared’ of #MeToo movement could be negatively affecting women,
news.com.au(January 17, 2019, 2:15AM)https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/strategies-used-by-
men-scared-of-metoo-movement-could-be-negatively-affecting-women/news-
story/42d945a126b5a3d2d4f97f41374732d4
19
#MeToo in India: Online abuse and criticism mar social media crusade against sexual harassment which is outing
abusers , Firstpost(January 18, 2019, 3:15AM)https://www.firstpost.com/india/metoo-in-india-online-abuse-and-
criticism-mar-social-media-crusade-against-sexual-harassment-which-is-outing-abusers-5343601.html
stories of past can be concocted. In this movement, there is one more drawback, since the women
mostly raise the events of past dating back to even decades in which they have faced sexual
harassment or assault so, it is definitely difficult to gather the evidences of such incidents of past
and to prove in a court of law whether that alleged incident took place.

5. STATISTICS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT

In an online survey conducted by an NGO named Stop Street Harassment it was found out that
81% of women and 43% of men have experienced sexual harassment at some point of time in
their entire life. For the survey the sample men and women were above 18 years. In this survey
the definition of sexual harassment was a broader one which even included the ‘continuum of
experiences’. The report said that 77 percent of women have experienced verbal sexual
harassment and 51 percent have been sexually touched without consent. In the survey 41 percent
said that they have been sexually harassed online and 27 percent said that they had survived
sexual assault. 66 percent of women said that they had been sexually harassed at public places.
38 percent of women said that they had experienced the sexual harassment at workplace.20 A
survey was conducted by BBC in which the report revealed that 63% of the women who face
sexual harassment at workplace do not report the incident.21

6. CONCLUSION
Within the 24 hours of the first tweetof #metoo , #MeToo was retweeted more than
500,000 times on Twitter and over 12 million times on Facebook. Facebook reported that
within the USA, over 45% of people know at least one person that used the hashtag. So,
the #metoo movement is no doubt a successful movement which emphasizes on
providing justice and support to the victims of sexual harassment or assault or rape. This
movement has given a platform to women who have been victims of sexual violence to
raise their voice. Since, the motive of this movement is to provide safety to women it

20
Rhitu Chaterjee, A New Survey Finds 81 Percent Of Women Have Experienced Sexual Harassment ,Npr(January
18, 2019, 3:20AM)https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/21/587671849/a-new-survey-finds-eighty-
percent-of-women-have-experienced-sexual-harassment
21
The #MeToo Movement & Its Impact on The Workplace, Change(January 18, 2019,0 3:55AM)
ehttps://www.changerecruitmentgroup.com/knowledge-centre/the-metoo-movement-its-impact-on-the-
workplace
should be supported at all the levels. A large number of women from various parts of the
world have shared their experiences of sexual harassment or assault on social media
instead of reporting it in any court or police station. So, this means that such acts are
underreported and even the statistics support this assertion. This means that women still
do not trust the legal system very much that is why they prefer to use the social media for
such things. Thus, an efficient legal machienary should be adopted by the government as
well as by the police to tackle this problem. Further the #metoo movement should not
deviate to targeting the male gender and into spreading the hatred for men. There are
many instances when this movement was misused and the negative impacts are already
discussed. Thus, the movement should not turn into a witch hunt to target men rather the
movement should be restricted to the safety of women.