“Me Too” Movement

[Anchor Lead]

The "Me Too" movement has been exposing sexual abuse in all areas of society and has encouraged sexual harassment and assault victims to speak out. A public session on sharing such experiences of sexual violence and gender discrimination took place in downtown Seoul over the weekend.

[Soundbite] "(Let's apologize!) Apologize! Apologize!"

[Pkg]

The plaza was packed with people holding up black signs. The signs read "Me, too" and "With you." There were slogans of admission that said "I too have been victim of sexual assault". There were also slogans solidarity that the victims of sexual violence are not alone. Eight victims of sexual assault and gender discrimination who took to the stage spoke about their painful experiences in front of all the people. There was a high school student who said that it was a torment to go to school.

[Soundbite] Lee Eun-seon(Student) : "My teacher came into the girls' restroom and touched my body. He was a high-ranking and experienced teacher, so my account was ignored."

There was also a police officer who was maligned at work for helping a fellow officer who had been sexually harassed at work.

[Soundbite] Lim Hee-gyeong(Police Officer) : "Rumors spread about me being a "gold digger". My fellow officer and I were branded "gold-digging police officers."

The audience showed their support for the brave speakers with loud applause and cheers.

[Soundbite] Lee Ah-ran(Student) : "But the answer was..."

Amid the common demands for a gender-equal society, the participants each made a vow to themselves.

[Soundbite] Kim Min-yeong(Seoul resident) : "There must be more people who cannot speak out about their sexual assault experiences. I vowed to hear the voices of hidden victims."

After the talk was over, the participants marched around Gwanghwamun to demand the revision of the Constitution and increased representation of women.