Harnessing the Power of Hashtag Activism
BY BEARING WITNESS FOR EACH OTHER, WE KNOW WE ARE NOT ALONE
Hashtag activism has emerged as a powerful tool for raising awareness and mobilizing people around social and political issues. By using hashtags to share personal stories, experiences, and opinions, individuals can collectively shed light on important topics and create a sense of community and solidarity. Successful examples of hashtag activism include #MeToo, which sparked a global conversation about sexual harassment and assault, and #BlackLivesMatter, which drew attention to systemic racism and police brutality.
The #igotout movement builds upon this tradition of hashtag activism by amplifying the voices of survivors of high-control environments, such as cults, abusive relationships and families, and exploitative groups. By sharing our stories using the #igotout hashtag, we can break down feelings of isolation and shame, connect with others who have faced similar challenges, and raise awareness about the impact of undue influence and coercive control.
Through the collective power of individual stories, the #igotout movement aims to provide real-world examples of how people can be drawn into cultic environments, emphasizing the everyday nature of these abuses of power. By minimizing sensationalism and focusing on the tactics used by abusive individuals or groups to control and exploit others, these stories can serve as a valuable educational resource for younger audiences who could benefit from learning about manipulation tactics and online recruiting.
By bringing together stories from a wide range of abusive and high-control environments under one hashtag, the #igotout movement aims to illuminate the common patterns and mechanisms of undue influence. This increased understanding can help survivors and the general public recognize warning signs, avoid future involvement in such situations, and better grasp the complexities faced by victims. With a more informed perspective on the dynamics of coercive control, people serving on juries in cases involving these issues can make more reasoned judgments, reducing victim-blaming and increasing the likelihood of abusers being held accountable for their actions.
As they say, "the devil is in the details." If or when you post online, consider sharing the story of a specific situation or an example relating to mechanisms of coercive control (such as sleep deprivation or labor trafficking). You will be surprised how many folks will relate to and resonate with your experience!
When engaging with the #igotout community, remember to offer support and validation to others and use trigger warnings when discussing sensitive content. By sharing your experience, you can contribute to a growing body of knowledge about the realities of undue influence and coercive control, as well as helping empower others in their own journey of healing and self-discovery.
Together, our stories can make a difference.
