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Breaking the silence on sexual harassment and assault: : An analysis of #MeToo tweets

Published: 01 October 2021 Publication History

Abstract

This study, using conventional content analysis, examined a corpus of #MeToo tweets from the first day the hashtag went viral, October 16th 2017. Of the 10,546 #MeToo tweets collected, three major categories were identified: these included #MeToo Facilitated Self-Disclosure, Messages of Support, and Calling Out Poor Behaviour with 5,243, 1,556, and 1207 tweets, respectively. The majority of disclosure tweets detailed experiences of sexual assault (44%) and experiences that occurred during childhood (29.4%). The results of this study offer valuable insights regarding the information users chose to share during the first day of the #MeToo movement and the nature of sexual harassment and assault experienced by these individuals. This information may be used by policymakers to identify and implement means to reduce the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault.

Highlights

10,546 #MeToo hashtag tweets were analysed using conventional content analysis.
Users self-disclosed, called out poor behaviour, and shared messages of support.
Most disclosures related to sexual assault followed by sexual harassment.
Disclosed events occurred in childhood and in educational and workplace environments.

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          cover image Computers in Human Behavior
          Computers in Human Behavior  Volume 123, Issue C
          Oct 2021
          201 pages

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          Elsevier Science Publishers B. V.

          Netherlands

          Publication History

          Published: 01 October 2021

          Author Tags

          1. Social media
          2. Twitter
          3. Sexual harassment
          4. Sexual assault
          5. Social change

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