#MeToo and #ChurchToo: Putting the movements in context

Abstract

The #MeToo movement, exposing sexual harassment and abuse through Twitter and other social media platforms, has had a significant impact on many segments of society, and the church has been no exception. In addition to prominent celebrities, many church leaders have been accused, and in some cases convicted, of sexual assault after stories were brought to light on social media using hashtags like #MeToo and #ChurchToo. In the church context, particular dynamics are at play, such as purity culture and a culture of shame and silence in relation to women’s sexuality. The #MeToo movement has been critiqued for a number of reasons, including that its founder, woman-of-color Tarana Burke, has not received much credit and that privileged white women (especially actresses) have tended to receive the most attention and be understood as the focus of the campaign. This article provides an overview of the history of the movement, exploring some prominent cases and investigating some of the critical engagement with the campaign and its impacts.