Women around the world are speaking up and revealing the magnitude of the problem of sexual assault and harassment. Men too.

WriterShelf is a place where you can share your story, big or small. The privacy of a pen name can help you take the first step.

“It was not my fault. I am not broken. I’m growing strong. I refuse silence.” – Survivor

Sexual assault is much more widespread than has ever been recognized. Too often women are frightened to speak up and also believe they won’t be heard. When you’re not in a position of power, people don’t listen. But women around the world are speaking up and courageously sharing their painful experiences. 

"Women spend their lives negotiating survival and bodily integrity and humanity in the home, on the streets, in workplaces, at parties, and now on the internet."  - Rebecca Solnit

Ignoring the problem is one form of tolerance, whether it’s pretending we’re in a post-racial society or one in which misogyny is someone else's issue. People need to tell their stories to make change.

Harassment and assault are the first harm. Being silenced by shame, exclusion or threats is the second. Ultimately, we all lose when women have their creative and professional capacity undermined. 

What does sexual harassment look like?

Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances. The harasser can identify with any gender and have any relationship to the victim, including a being a direct manager, indirect supervisor, co-worker, teacher, peer, or colleague. Some forms of sexual harassment include:

• Making conditions of employment dependent on sexual favors
• Physical acts of sexual assault
• Requests for sexual favors
• Verbal harassment of a sexual nature
• Unwanted touching or physical contact
• Unwelcome sexual advances

The Power of Many Voices
Women telling their stories is an important moment, an opportunity to acknowledge and release what women have had to endure. We need this acknowledgement to move forward. 

every time women endure trauma we tell them to bury those secrets inside of themselves. we make them carry them around every day of their lives until maybe one day it'll be safe to talk about them. we are all bursting w/secrets & shame that should not be ours & it has got to stop

— Lane Moore (@hellolanemoore) November 10, 2017

Share your #metoo story on WriterShelf.