Searcy, Ar. (LP) – Consent is such a powerful word that means when someone agrees, gives permission, or simply says “yes” to sexual activity with another person. Should always be freely given and all people in a sexual situation must feel that they are able to say “yes” or “no” or stop the sexual activity at any point. It can be withdrawn by either party at any point. Consent to engage in one sexual activity, or past agreement to engage in a particular activity, cannot be presumed to constitute consent to engage in a different sexual activity or to engage again in a sexual activity. Even though we have the ability to say our consent, there is sexual coercion. Coercion is a tactic used by perpetrators to intimidate, trick or force someone to have sex with him/her without physical force. It is an issue of power and control. 

Knowing that people have power and control issues, people do get sexually assaulted. It is an extremely big deal. In 2006, the “me too” movement was founded to help survivors of sexual violence. Particularly to find pathways to healing for black women and girls, and other young women of color from low wealth communities. It has grown to support all people of the community. Their vision from the beginning was to address both the lack of resources for survivors of sexual violence and to build a community of advocates, ran by survivors , who would create solutions to interrupt sexual violence in their communities. Less than six months after the viral hashtag, “me too”, a vital conversation about sexual violence was pushed into the natonal dialouge. Since then, they have continued to focus on helping those who need attention for individual healing. 

The movement has helped women and young girls speak out against harassment and abuse that they have experienced. Many young girls don’t feel comfortable about speaking out. Whether it’s the fact that the perpetrator is still in their life or that people won’t believe them. Harassment also has a major effect on one’s mental health. Anonymous says, “I have always had problems with my mental health. Here recently, I was assaulted and since then it has made my mental health problems worse. Telling someone about the incident scared me almost more than anything. But, after a while I did. It helped and I suggest to everyone to speak out on your assault.” Many people decide to not report their assault. Up to 91.6% assaults go unreported. 

Ginger Beebe, Formal First Lady of Arkansas says, “We talk more about women than men, but men too have faced sexual harassment. Women too must be accountable because some men have been falsely accused and that hurts everyone.” False rape accusations aren’t very common in today’s society. 2.5-7% of rape cases are offically declared as false. Falsely accusing someone of rape ruins the accused perpetrator’s mental state.

Anyone who has experienced harassment or abuse in the states of physical, verbal, humiliation, or intimidation are greatly encouraged to speak out. The Me Too movement helps those people. It encourages and supports victims. You are never alone and the Me Too society wants you to know that. In Fayetteville, a march was held in April. Many students of the University attended, forgot about everything that happened and fought back. 

Gaslighting is a tactic used by a perpetrator. It is when they normalize what is happening to the victim. It has been happening to many people since a young age. Examples include, boys being mean to little girls because they like them, when you misbehave as a child like a child does and your family says that they don’t know what their going to do with you. As a child, when your dog or pet dies, and you’re clearly sad but your family says you’re crying for attention. No matter what it was when you were a child, gaslighting was and still is very common. People will belittle your emotions when you’re being abused mentally, verbally, or physical. This happens in rape culture, too. Perpetrators commonly say, you enjoyed it, don’t complain,  that’s not fair, you lead me on, and many others. Anonymous says, “Ever since  I was a young kid, boys would always mess with me. My mom would just tell me that they like me. As I got older, it became worse and worse. A boy popped my bra strap everyday for an entire school year. I just couldn’t speak up about it because I was scared that my mom would just tell me what she did when I was younger. No one should feel afraid to tell an adult what is happening to them.” 

Young people need to know what’s happening to them while they’re young. Mrs.Beebe says, “We must teach young people what sexual harassment is and hopefully prevent it from happening.” Schools fail to teach students about rape and how important it is to speak out against it. Many students have said they would like to see a course or assembly that speaks out about sexual harassment. Anonymous says, “I think that if the school gives us an assembly about sexual harassment, it would make others aware about how serious it is. If the assembly includes how to get help and speak out about sexual harassment that has happened to them, it would help students and bring up their mental health.” The community has been getting more involved with harassment. There is a support group here in Searcy, Arkansas. I’m A 10 Wellness Center’s website is located here. https://imatenwellnesscenter.com/ . Mrs.Beebe says, “We all can help by supporting groups and organizations that work to change laws and provide women services for their healing.”

Sexual harassment is common in the workplace. It is a form of unlawful discrimination and is taken seriously by the courts. Sexual harassment in the workplace may include, sexual comments, jokes, questions, inappropriate touching and gestures, and an invasion of personal space in a sexual way. Quid Pro Quo (this for that), is a type of exchange-based sexual harassment. In this situation, the harasser, who is often a manager or senior-level employee, may offer something of value for a sexual favor. It can also be a form of blackmail. In many resturants, waitresses can get harassed by the visitors. Businesses know how to handle them now. Mrs.Ginger Beebe states, “Any activity or event that helps to empower women is good. More businesses now have training for all employees on sexual harassment. Also college campuses are providing training for what is sexual harassment.” Now people know what is happening in the workplace and know how to prevent that from happening. 

Overall the Me Too movement has made a huge impact on today’s society since 2006. Mrs. Ginger Beebe says, “Me Too has opened the door for healing to hurts of many women and to educating the public on what we must do to end sexual harassment.” No matter how bad you have been hurt, you have the ability to bounce back from it. Learn to speak out against sexual assault, and it will change the society for the better. In many cases, young girls have stayed quiet for too long and bad things happened. Keep yourself and others safe and help the Me Too movement in the community today.