Introduction:

On 29 April 2012, an NRI sexually assaulted a young Indian woman when she went to
meet him (because of personal links gained from close friendship with her father) in a
hotel room in Mumbai. Devastated by the assault and traumatized by the fact that her
trust has been shattered, she lodged a complaint almost one and a half year (on 20
December 2013) after the incident and that too, not with the Mumbai police, but to the
Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service of General Medical Council, UK , under whom
the accused was registered (Bhattacharyya, 2016b). 1 While the tribunal found the
accused guilty of sexual misconduct and placed him under suspension, unsurprisingly,
the community leaders and patriarchs of Indian diaspora condoned the accused imputing
blame on the victim as being ‘characterless’ and a ‘bad’ woman (Bhattacharyya 2015;
2016a,b). Sadly, this is not a unique story of one victim. It was also saddening to witness
that S.P.S. Rathore, an Inspector-General of Police and founding president of Haryana
Lawn Tennis Association (HLTA), who had molested in August 1990, the then 14-year-
old teenage, Miss Ruchira Girhotra, by misusing the power of his position was invited
as a VIP guest to attend the 69th Republic Day at Panchkula, Haryana (Gupta, 2018).
Ruchira was molested at HLTA, where she was taking tennis lessons. Although
Ruchira’s parents had reported the incident to the police, the then toothless Indian
justice system simply window dressed the reality rather than addressing the diabolical
reality; whereby, Ruchira failed to seek justice. Dismayed by the miscarriages of justice
and vicious tounges surrounding her life, Ruchira committed suicide at the age of 17
(Gupta, 2018). Evidence, further reinforced by the recent #me too movement,
demonstrates that women’s sexual assault is a pan-cultural phenomenon (Butcher,
2017; Calder-Dawe and Gavey, 2016; Herriot, 2015; Leach, 2006; Madan and Nalla,
2016; Park et al., 2013; Neupane and Chesney Lind, 2014; also, Bhattacharyya, 2009;
2013b; 2015; 2016). In the wake of the strings of allegations of malicious sexual abuse
by Harvey Weinstein, one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, the #metoo
movement went viral in the social media. Indeed, the #metoo movement was created
more than a decade ago by Tarana Burke in 2006 to help victims of sexual
violence/abuse. This movement helps us to gain a sense of the problem, and make

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people aware of the scale of the sexual harassment that remains pervasive in the public
space/workplace (Gonzalez, 2017; Gonzalez and France, 2017). This commentary is an
attempt to highlight and analyse the innovative and creative #metoo movement teasing
out why most victims of sexual assaults chose to remain silent instead of accusing the
perpetrator. The analysis of the commentary is built on examples from across the globe
(including India). It is reckoned that this analysis would trigger effective awareness of
the pandemic problem of sexual harassment all over the place (including the
workplace). The commentary begins with the definition of sexual harassment, which
follows a discussion of #metoo movement. Following this, it discusses examples from
India and why victims of sexual harassment fail to accuse the perpetrator.

Sexual Harassment:
According to the UK Equality Act 2010,[harassment is “unwanted conduct [or
unwelcome behavior] related to a relevant protected characteristic [here, sexual
advances], which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or
creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for
that individual”.2 However, the term unwelcome behavior is problematic because “[i]t
does not mean "involuntary." A victim may consent or agree to certain conduct and
actively participate in it even though it is offensive and objectionable. Therefore, sexual
conduct is unwelcome whenever the person subjected to it considers it unwelcome.
Whether the person in fact welcomed a request for a date, sex-oriented comment, or
joke depends on all the circumstances.” 3 In short, sexual harassment can be defined as
a form of harm inflicted upon a person via physical, verbal or even psychological acts
bearing a sexual tone. It is often an act of power domination mediated via spatial and
social control, buttressing subordination. Therefore, experiencing any form of sexual
harassment anywhere could be humiliating, demeaning, traumatizing, and degrading.

MeToo movement
(Un)surprisingly, for the first time in history, the #metoo movement has emerged as a
powerful whistleblower hitting the highest offices of the world—the European
Parliament, the Westminster, and much more, from where the narratives of accusations

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of inappropriate behavior or sexual allegations continue to surface similar to ants
coming out from their habitats. The Time magazine of 18 December 2017 has featured
few celebrities— Ashley Judd, Susan Fowler, Adama Iwn, Taylor Swift, and Isabel
Pascual labelling them as silence breakers.4 At the same time, it is sad to note that when
feminism has reached its heights in the occidental world, why these women chose to
remain silent for years. Nonetheless, millions of common women too have joined this
movement. This markedly signals that women (even after decades) continue to hit the
iron as the recently heated hammer continues to remain too hot. For instance, in January
2018 Judge Rosemarie Aquilina sentenced 175 years in jail to the predator, USA
gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, who sexually abused a large number of young
women gymnasts. This was a historic judgment and perhaps, one of the most powerful
judgments in the world where more than 150 women confronted the predator face-to-
face in the court.5 Notwithstanding, as many as 40 Conservative Members of
Parliament and four Labour MPs at Westminster faced allegations of sexual misconduct
(Payne, 2017). Accordingly, actions had been taken, albeit hurriedly, to redress the
conventional balance of power and privilege enjoyed by these powerful men. In doing
so, there had been incidents when Carl Sargeant, a Welsh government minister
committed suicide after he was sacked for allegations of sexual harassment.6 Arguably,
there should have been some fair process for the accused giving him a chance to defend.
Nevertheless, in some parts of the world, this #metoo movement has moved beyond the
social media and are being taken to the streets, where women are rallying to protest
against sexual harassment demanding the implementation ‘zero tolerance policy’
against sexual harassment at the workplace. Although, sexual harassment is tantamount
to women but #me too movement is not restricted to women facing sexual harassment
alone, it is also about those powerful women preying on their subordinate men or a
homosexual man /woman preying on another man/woman in his/her office or elsewhere
under the shields of their power. There is very little or robust statistics of sexual
advances at the workplace. According to a report of the United Nations Secretary-
General's Campaign to End Violence Against Women unravels that in the USA, 83
percent of girls within the age-group 12 to 16 years faced some form of sexual assaults
in their schools.7 The same report further unveils that within the countries of the

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European Union; approximately 40-50 percent women experienced some form of
sexual assaults like inappropriate touching or unwanted physical contacts, while 30-40
percent women of Asia-Pacific countries reported different forms of harassment—
verbal, physical, and sexual. Appalling rape statistics (2016- 2017) from Rape Crisis
Centres across England and Wales unfolds that every year, about 85,000 women and
12,000 men become victims of rape demonstrating that while both women and men can
become victims of despicable sexual assaults, women are far more likely to become
victims of sexual exploitations.8 Similarly, in her article in Vox, entitled These are the
industries with the most reported sexual harassment, Emily Stewart (2017) draws a
detailed account of the industries where women mostly face harassment in the USA
(see, Figure1). For this, she used 10-year data of the US Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission. Her nuanced analysis unravelled that in accommodation and food service
industry, dominated by female workers in lowly paid jobs, are most vulnerable to sexual
assaults. Stewart (2017) found that in this industry, 14.23 percent women became
victims of sexual harassment followed by retail trade, where 13.44 percent women
reported facing sexual abuse. Seemingly, in the Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel, “where
Harvey Weinstein often stayed, female employees said they often felt helpless next to
Hollywood titans whom the hotel went to extreme lengths to please” (Mueller, 2017).
While the hotel divulged its no tolerance of sexual harassment both by its employees
and guests, there is also no evidence to suggest that Mr Weinstein assaulted the hotel
workers/housekeepers (Mueller, 2017). However, following Harvey Weinstein
allegations, in Chicago, the housekeepers were successful to pass a City Council bill
that makes it mandatory for the hotels to provide panic buttons for the housekeepers
summoning for help should unwanted incidents occur (Mueller, 2017).

Why most women remain silent?

It can be easily argued that sexual harassment does not decline even though women’s
empowerment becomes normative. While some critics are questioning as to whether #
metoo movement has gone too far; few others question whether it is a witch-hunt and
why most victims chose to remain silent as some of the allegations made by the most
empowered women of Hollywood and others are more than 25 years old. The answer is

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simple. Most people (including women) bear a patriarchal mindset and misogyny is
rooted deeply across cultures (Bhattachharyya, 2015; 2016a; 2016b; Zeilinger, 2018).
At the same time, it is interesting to note that a large number of women from both the
developed and the developing world justify wife beating/domestic abuse
(Bhattacharyya, 2015, 2016). However, the percentage of women from the developing
world is far more when compared to their counterparts of the developed world (see,
Figure 2). An example from India further reinforces this observation. Chapter7 of the
latest Economic Survey 2017-2018, India shows that in 2006, 50.4 percent women did
not support wife beating. Almost after a decade, this figure has changed only by 3.5
percentage points; that is, still, a staggering 46 percent of Indian women justify wife-
beating.

Effect of #metoo on Young People

In response to the #metoo movement, in December 2017 MTV surveyed 1800 young
people aged 18-25 years to probe the effect of #metoo on them (Zeilinger, 2018).
Almost 40 percent of young men responded that the movement had changed the way
they interact with potential romantic relationships. While 25 percent of the young
women respondents reported that since the launch of #metoo movement, the behavior
of young men have changed towards women (Zeilinger, 2018), however, far more
rigorous research is required to witness the actual effect of the movement. Perhaps, to
reduce sexual assaults, the media and the advertising agencies must stop any form of
‘objectification’ of women. Currently, with an aim to enhance women’s safety, many
companies have developed and installed panic buttons/safety alert apps on the
smartphones/tablets. While these smart technologies are welcomed, I urge that, if
possible, women facing assaults should ‘scream loud’ to seek attention from the public
for help.

The Empowering Facade and Its Discontents:

On the surface, #MeToo embodies empowerment and solidarity, offering a platform for
survivors to reclaim their narratives and demand justice. However, beneath this
empowering facade lies a troubling reality—instances of violence against assaults

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within the movement itself. This paradox raises crucial questions about the
effectiveness of #MeToo in creating a safe space for survivors and addressing the root
causes of sexual violence. The #MeToo movement has undeniably altered the cultural
landscape, creating a seismic shift in the discourse surrounding sexual assault and
harassment. Originating as a social media campaign in 2017, #MeToo rapidly evolved
into a global movement, empowering survivors to break their silence and exposing the
pervasive nature of sexual misconduct across various sectors. However, within the
folds of this powerful movement lies a disconcerting paradox—instances of violence
against assaults within the very framework designed to bring about change. This
introduction embarks on a nuanced exploration of the #MeToo movement, aiming to
unravel the intricate challenges posed by violence against assaults within its confines.

The Genesis and Global Impact of #MeToo:

The #MeToo movement emerged as a response to the prevalent culture of silence
surrounding sexual misconduct. What began as a hashtag on social media quickly
transformed into a force for social change, providing survivors with a platform to share
their experiences and demand accountability. Its global resonance highlighted the
universal nature of the issue, transcending geographical, cultural, and occupational
boundaries. The movement's success in fostering dialogue and triggering widespread
awareness is undeniable, but within this success lies a dark underbelly—violence
against assaults within the very movement advocating for survivors.

A Facade of Empowerment and its Underlying Complexity:

On the surface, #MeToo symbolizes empowerment, with survivors finding strength in
solidarity and shared narratives. The movement has played a pivotal role in dismantling
the stigma associated with being a survivor and has fostered a sense of community
among those who have experienced sexual assault. However, beneath this empowering
facade, a complex reality unfolds—one that reveals the existence of violence against
assaults within the very spaces meant to be safe havens for survivors.

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Definition:
The phenomenon of #MeToo violence against assaults encapsulates a complex interplay
of power, advocacy, and the disturbing contradiction within a movement aimed at
empowering survivors of sexual harassment and assault. To comprehensively define
#MeToo violence against assaults, one must explore its historical roots, understand the
dynamics of the #MeToo movement, analyze the challenges it presents, and consider
potential pathways for transformation.

Explore the prevalence of violence against assaults within the "Meetoo"

movement.
The #MeToo movement, born as a platform for survivors to share their stories and
challenge the prevailing culture of silence surrounding sexual assault, has undeniably
made substantial strides in raising awareness and promoting accountability. However,
within the folds of this influential movement lies a disconcerting reality – the
prevalence of violence against assaults. This exploration delves into the multifaceted
dimensions of violence within the #MeToo movement, seeking to understand the scope,
nature, and underlying factors contributing to this alarming phenomenon.

Unmasking the Paradox:

The paradox of violence against assaults within the #MeToo movement raises
fundamental questions about the movement's effectiveness in creating a safe space for
survivors. Instead of being a refuge for those seeking justice and solidarity, instances of
violence have turned the movement into a battleground where survivors face new forms
of victimization.

Online Harassment and Intimidation:

One prominent facet of violence within #MeToo is the surge in online harassment.
Survivors who come forward are often subjected to vicious attacks on social media
platforms, ranging from character assassination to explicit threats. The anonymity

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provided by the digital realm amplifies the impact of such harassment, creating an
environment where survivors not only grapple with their traumatic experiences but
also face relentless online abuse.

Threats to Privacy and Retribution:

The prevalence of violence extends beyond the virtual realm. Some survivors
experience threats to their privacy and personal safety. Perpetrators, desperate to
maintain the status quo or fearing exposure, resort to retribution tactics. This can
manifest in real-world stalking, invasive investigations into the survivor's personal life,
or even physical harm.

Internal Power Dynamics:

To comprehend the prevalence of violence within #MeToo, it's crucial to examine
internal power dynamics. The movement itself is not immune to hierarchies and power
imbalances. Instances of violence often involve individuals within the movement
exploiting their positions of influence to suppress or harm survivors who challenge the
existing order.

The Intersectionality of Violence:

Understanding the prevalence of violence within #MeToo requires a nuanced
consideration of intersectionality. The experiences of violence may differ based on
factors such as gender, race, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation.
Acknowledging this intersectionality is pivotal for crafting interventions that address
the unique challenges faced by diverse groups of survivors.

Amplification Through Social Media:

While social media has been instrumental in catalyzing the #MeToo movement, it also
serves as a double-edged sword, amplifying instances of violence. The virality of
information on these platforms can quickly escalate harassment, making it imperative
to examine how the very tool used for advocacy becomes a conduit for violence against
survivors.

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Institutional Responses and Complicity:
Examining the prevalence of violence within #MeToo necessitates scrutiny of
institutional responses. Complicity within organizations or movements can perpetuate
a culture of silence and contribute to the victimization of survivors. Understanding how
institutions respond, or fail to respond, to instances of violence is crucial for dismantling
systemic barriers.

The Impact on Survivor Participation:

The prevalence of violence within #MeToo has palpable consequences on survivor
participation. The fear of retaliation or further victimization discourages survivors from
coming forward, undermining the movement's core objective of providing a platform
for voices that have long been suppressed. The chilling effect of violence poses a
significant threat to the movement's efficacy.

Addressing the Prevalence: A Call to Action:

To effectively address the prevalence of violence within #MeToo, a multifaceted
approach is imperative. This involves:

Policy Reforms: Implementing robust policies within the movement to explicitly

condemn and address violence against assaults. Establishing clear consequences for
those engaging in such behavior is essential for fostering a safer environment.

Education and Awareness: Conducting awareness campaigns within the movement

to educate participants about the consequences of violence against survivors. This
includes understanding the diverse experiences of different groups within the
movement.

Community Support: Establishing support mechanisms within the #MeToo

community to protect survivors facing violence. This can involve creating confidential
channels for reporting incidents and offering resources for mental health support.

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Intersectional Advocacy: Embracing an intersectional approach to advocacy that
recognizes and addresses the unique challenges faced by survivors of different
backgrounds. This ensures a more inclusive and supportive environment.
In conclusion, the prevalence of violence against assaults within the #MeToo
movement is a stark reality that demands urgent attention. Addressing this issue is
not only integral to the well-being of survivors but also pivotal for the movement's
credibility and long-term impact. By acknowledging, analyzing, and actively working
to eradicate violence, the #MeToo movement can evolve into a more resilient force,
genuinely committed to providing a safe space for survivors to share their stories and
catalyze transformative change.

Identify specific incidents and patterns of abuse

Specific incidents and patterns of abuse within the #MeToo movement underscore
the complexities and challenges faced by survivors as they navigate spaces intended
for support and empowerment. This exploration delves into noteworthy incidents,
shedding light on recurring patterns that reveal the disturbing underbelly of abuse
within the movement.

1. Online Harassment and Character Assassination:

One pervasive pattern of abuse within #MeToo involves survivors facing relentless
online harassment. Notable incidents include survivors being targeted on social media
platforms, where they encounter vicious attacks ranging from derogatory comments to
explicit threats. This
form of abuse often includes character assassination, with perpetrators attempting to
undermine the credibility of survivors by spreading misinformation and damaging
narratives.

2. Retribution and Threats to Privacy:

Some survivors who come forward with their stories face tangible threats to their
personal safety and privacy. Instances of retribution involve attempts to intimidate and

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silence survivors through real-world stalking, invasive investigations into their personal
lives, and even physical harm. This pattern of abuse creates an environment of fear,
discouraging survivors from speaking out due to concerns about potential repercussions.

3. Power Dynamics and Abuse of Influence:

Patterns of abuse within #MeToo often intersect with internal power dynamics.
Incidents reveal individuals within the movement leveraging their positions of influence
to perpetrate abuse against survivors. This can manifest as manipulation, gaslighting,
or coercion, highlighting the paradox where those advocating for change become
perpetrators of abuse within the very movement they champion.

4. Intersectionality and Diverse Experiences:

Abuse within #MeToo is not a one-size-fits-all phenomenon. Patterns vary based on

intersectionality, with survivors facing distinct challenges influenced by factors such
as gender, race, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. Notable incidents
underscore the importance of recognizing and addressing the unique struggles faced by
survivors from diverse backgrounds.

5. Complicity and Lack of Institutional Responses:

Patterns of abuse are exacerbated by instances of complicity and a lack of effective

institutional responses within organizations or movements associated with #MeToo.
Incidents reveal a culture of silence that allows abuse to persist, as institutions fail to
address or condemn the misconduct of individuals within their ranks. The absence of
accountability perpetuates a toxic environment for survivors.

6. Amplification of Abuse Through Social Media:

While social media serves as a powerful tool for advocacy within #MeToo, it also
amplifies patterns of abuse. Notable incidents include the rapid spread of false
information, the creation of online mobs targeting survivors, and the use of digital
platforms to orchestrate coordinated attacks. The virality of abusive content on social
media exacerbates the harm experienced by survivors.

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7. Impact on Survivor Participation:

Patterns of abuse have a profound impact on survivor participation within #MeToo.

Incidents reveal a chilling effect, with survivors hesitating to share their stories due to
the fear of retaliation or further victimization. This pattern poses a significant threat to
the movement's effectiveness, as the very individuals it seeks to empower are deterred
from contributing to the collective narrative.

Addressing Patterns of Abuse: A Call to Action:

Identifying specific incidents and patterns of abuse within #MeToo necessitates a

proactive approach to address these pervasive challenges:

Policy Reforms: Implementing and enforcing robust policies within the movement to
explicitly condemn and address abuse. This includes establishing clear consequences
for individuals engaging in harassment, character assassination, or other forms of abuse.

Educational Initiatives: Conducting educational initiatives within the #MeToo

community to raise awareness about the consequences of abuse and the importance of
fostering a supportive environment for survivors. This involves promoting a culture of
empathy, respect, and accountability.

Community Support Systems: Establishing comprehensive support systems within

#MeToo to assist survivors facing abuse. This includes creating confidential reporting
mechanisms, providing resources for mental health support, and ensuring that survivors
feel protected within the community.

Intersectional Advocacy: Integrating an intersectional approach to advocacy that

recognizes and addresses the unique challenges faced by survivors from diverse
backgrounds. This ensures that interventions and support mechanisms are inclusive and
responsive to the varied experiences of individuals within the movements. Specific
incidents and patterns of abuse within the #MeToo movement highlight the urgent need
for comprehensive and transformative action.

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