'I've had sexual propositions': Labor MP Anne Aly responds to ‘Me Too’ campaign

Labor MP Anne Aly has revealed her own experiences of sexual harassment and assault as women around the world share their stories with the hashtag 'Me Too' in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein allegations.

Labor MP Anne Aly has revealed her experiences of sexual harassment and assault as women around the world share their stories with the hashtag 'Me Too'.

The hashtag's popularity started with journalist Sandra Muller who recounted how her former boss called her "my type of woman" and made comments about her breasts.

This has sparked Australian women to share their experiences, including Ms Aly who holds the West Australian seat of Cowan.
"I've been grabbed in certain places, I've had sexual comments made to me, I've had sexual propositions," she told SBS World News.

"There's this impression that (in) certain workplaces that doesn't exist anymore – that this was something that belonged in the 1970s in particular workplaces. But it's still quite endemic."

Australian journalist Julie Posetti said she was first sexually harassed at the age of 18 when she was a cadet and the trend of targeting young journalists continues to this day.

"Unfortunately I've had several students... young women who have come to me who have had really difficult experiences, one who was propositioned and told she could only expect to get paid shifts if she had sex with a particular person," Posetti said.
One of the most prominent celebrities who have taken part in the 'Me Too' campaign is Hollywood actress Alyssa Milano.

She picked up the campaign from Muller and more than 50,000 people replied, making "#MeToo" a top trending topic.

The hashtag had been tweeted nearly half a million times in the space of 24 hours.
Thousands respond 'me too' to actress's Twitter prompt on sexual abuse
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Alyssa Milano arrives to the Television Industry. Source: Getty Images
In France, a similar campaign with the top-trending hashtag #balancetonporc ("Expose the pig") saw women share their experiences of being sexually harassed at work or in the street.

The online campaigns come in the wake of sexual harassment and assault claims levelled at Hollywood heavyweight Harvey Weinstein.

So far more than 20 women have accused the disgraced producer of rape, assault or sexual harassment.

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2 min read
Published 17 October 2017 8:32pm
Updated 18 October 2017 7:43am


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