"It's just one step in the right direction": A qualitative exploration of undergraduate student perceptions of #MeToo.

Williamson, Linzi E.; Bayly, Melanie; Poncelet, Evan; Lawson, Karen L.

As a social movement, #MeToo offers a chance for individuals to share their stories and connect with others who have been sexually assaulted or harassed. The movement may also facilitate understanding of the scope of sexual assault and harassment worldwide. Preliminary research on #MeToo has provided some insight on potential societal effects of the movement, but many research questions remain unanswered. The current study aims to contribute to the scarcity of research on the #MeToo movement. Through a series of focus groups, a sample of Canadian undergraduates (N = 56) were given the opportunity to discuss their views of why #MeToo is important, the role they think it plays, and their concerns. Students also explored both perceived positive and negative effects of #MeToo, as well as its potential sustainability. The social, structural, and gendered complexities involved in the emergence of the #MeToo movement were highlighted. Positive aspects of the movement that were emphasized included awareness raising, support for assault disclosure, and use of the media as an important tool. However, some individuals were concerned with media being used as a dangerous tool and that some groups have been harmed or excluded from #MeToo. While many participants felt that there is some evidence of #MeToo's "success," they believed that with respect to sexual assault and harassment more time may be required before sustained social and structural changes emerge.

CANADA; SEX crime prevention; PREVENTION of sexual harassment; FOCUS groups; SOCIAL change; STUDENT attitudes; QUALITATIVE research; SOCIAL media; UNDERGRADUATES

Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2020, Vol 29, Issue 1, p11

1188-4517

Academic Journal

10.3138/cjhs.2019-0036