Five years ago, we saw the world change as women spoke up about an ugly reality: sexual misconduct in the workplace. Millions began using #MeToo, and the movement gained traction across the globe, sparking conversation, reflection, and demand for global social and legal reform. Finally, it has happened. Perhaps most notably in the United States, we can look to the new federal law that protects workers against being sexually harassed in the workplace. 

In the celebration of our victories, we must remember the billions who cannot rally, who cannot hashtag or post their stories, who cannot seek legal redress. Let us remember those who were, and largely still remain, voiceless in this movement: children. Child sexual abuse ignited the MeToo movement. Tarana Burke, a social activist and woman of color began using the phrase in 2006 after not knowing how to respond to a 13-year-old who disclosed her abuse. She later regretted not answering with a simple, “Me too.” 

In addition, the estimates are that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys will experience sexual abuse as a child. Another way to look at it: of the babies born in the U.S. this year, 400,000 will be abused before they turn 18. These numbers are likely an underrepresentation. Why? Because children must rely on adults to recognize the abuse and then to report it. When you take into consideration that nearly all abusers are known and trusted by the family, the very people we rely on to notice and report abuse, it makes sense that the numbers are low. These are only the numbers in the United States. The numbers worldwide are staggering. Child sexual abuse is a global pandemic made all the worse because it is believed that 95% of child sexual abuse is preventable.

Furthermore, protecting a working woman from sexual harassment cannot protect the younger version of that woman but protecting a child from sexual abuse can protect that child from being a victim of abuse as an adult. We now have advocated and added protection for those who have statistically been the best protected: corporate working women. While protecting women anywhere is a step to protecting women everywhere, can we now focus on protecting our most vulnerable population?

In conclusion, remember the children. In the fight for our rights, let us not leave them silently asking, “What about me, too?”

#WhatAboutMeToo

What Can I Do?

The information can be overwhelming, but when it comes to preventing child sexual abuse, remember M.E.T.O.O. 

Author: Erin De Campos

At the Global Foundation for Girls, we are committed to remembering the children. If you would like to be more involved, you can contact us or donate here. 

For more information and resources, look at these websites:

MeToo. International: metoomvmt.org

Instagram/Twitter: metoomvmt

Lauren’s Kids: laurenskids.org

Twitter: @LaurensKids

Darkness To Light: www.d2l.org

Instagram: d2lorg 

Twitter: @Darkness2Light