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Home · News

#ChurchToo Hashtag Aims To Bring Attention To Sexual Assault In Religious Communities 

#ChurchToo Hashtag Aims To Bring Attention To Sexual Assault In Religious Communities
Getty Images/iStock
By Danielle Kwateng-Clark · Updated October 24, 2020

Tarana Burke’s #MeToo campaign, which started in 2007 as a way to encourage people to share their stories of sexual assault, has now moved to the church.

As reported by TIME, Twitter users Hannah Paasch and Emily Joy started the #ChurchToo hashtag to bring attention to sexual assault crimes that happen in the church and are often hidden.



What followed was a movement of people using the hashtag to share their stories of assault, anxiety, victim blaming and cover ups.

The church/purity culture is the reason why I didn't know a guy at my Christian college had harassed and assaulted me until years after it happened. None of my college friends know because I'm afraid of retaliation and judgement. #churchtoo

— Ms. Charlotte (@charlotteirene8) November 21, 2017

When a predator pastor tried to rape you, then stalks you. When you do the right thing and tell...and the church leadership totally turns it on you, gaslights you and sends the entire church staff an email warning them ABOUT YOU, dragging your name and reputation. #ChurchToo

— Kay-co (@lvng4chrst) November 22, 2017

When the Bishop gives all the #women a “holy kiss” on the lips........#NoSir #KeepItMoving #churchtoo

— Michelle Mostella (@PastorMichelleM) November 22, 2017

I remember being a young girl -- maybe 9 or 10 -- and the "good deacon" would greet me by kissing me on my lips every time he saw me. Called me his "baby". #churchtoo https://t.co/AEheyIMRbf

— Cleva (@cleva_annette) November 22, 2017

Growing up in purity culture, I was taught that men were “visual creatures” that couldn’t help feeling aroused at the sight of slightly revealed ankles or knees, and that all men were imagining me naked 24/7. The entire system shamed women for even existing. #ChurchToo

— Sarah Lacour (@sarahrlacour) November 22, 2017

#churchtoo. I was about 13 or 14 and at church Summer camp. The minister leading the camp was harassing one teenager girl from his church and she asked us all to protect her. One day he chased her into the girl's bathroom where girls were showering and changing. A group of 1/

— Jamie B (@jambie61) November 21, 2017

According to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), ages 12-34 are the highest risk years for rape and sexual assault with the majority of perpetrators being someone they knew. Unfortunately, statistics within religious communities are often difficult to obtain because they often go unreported.

The hope is that with social media, people can begin to open up about their experiences and address the issue without fear of condemnation.

“As prevalent as abusive grooming is, Christian culture literally teaches women to PREPARE FOR and WELCOME it,” Paasch said on Twitter. “It is THEOLOGY that makes the church an unsafe place for survivors and a haven for abusers. This is not just ‘people hurting people.'”

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