OVER the last few days, social media, in particular Facebook, has been flooded with the MeToo hashtag, or #MeToo.

For those not in the know, #MeToo is an avenue for women all over the world to show that they have experienced some form of sexual harassment or assault.

This follows news that Harvey Weinstein, a powerful Hollywood producer, has been expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences over multiple abuse allegations.

Social media came alive with #MeToo to show that sexual abuse is far more common that we think or know it to be.

For me, it has been extremely disturbing, alarming and shocking to see the number of people I know who are hashtagging themselves with #MeToo. These are people who range from my ex-colleagues to close friends, to cousins and acquaintances, from all over the world. These are people who have never given any inkling that they have been sexually abused or assaulted. They had kept silent.

What is even more shocking, though, is the sheer number of people with the #MeToo hashtag. One has to wonder as well how many women have been sexually abused or harassed who still do not want to talk about it.

I applaud all the women who are standing up and breaking their silence with the #MeToo hashtag. I applaud even more the women who are giving examples of how they were harassed and assaulted, so that other women know that it is not right. And, not just other women, but men as well.

There are so many forms of sexual harassment, and I believe it is not limited to sexual advances. Even leering at women and making unwanted suggestive comments can be considered harassment. Catcalls and lewd language directed at women are among the simplest forms of harassment.

While the common understanding of sexual assault is rape, molest or unwanted touches, it does not always have to be physical. It can sometimes be mental and emotional, where a woman is made to feel inferior or subservient to a man. This is still a form of sexual assault.

Even something as simple as an unwanted kiss among friends can be a form of sexual harassment or assault. Reading some of the stories on social media, you find that women have been touched on trains and other forms of public transport, that in schools, boys grope them.

There is a story of boys who kept snapping girls’ bra straps, there are stories of fathers, uncles and other family members touching their daughters, nieces and even sisters.

It is very easy to ask why these girls or women did not say anything before. The answer is simply that, perhaps, they did not know any better and thought that that was how life was supposed to be.

I am reminded of the story of Oprah Winfrey, who was raped when she was 9. She did not know that it was wrong, and she thought that was the way it was.

Sadly, many women and girls go through life like this, and think that their abuse, assault or harassment is how life is supposed to be.

I admit that looking at the broad picture, I, too, am guilty. While I have always prided myself on being a man who respects women, I, too, have had instances where I made lewd comments and used suggestive language at women, and excused it as being part of good fun. There were times when a bunch of male friends gathered and talked suggestively about other female friends. Again, we thought it was in good fun.

But perhaps, it has been taken the wrong way, and perhaps, it has offended some women. Perhaps, I have unknowingly harassed someone.

There is really no excuse for this behaviour. For this, I apologise unreservedly and will make it a point to try and be more sensitive.

For those of us who have daughters, we try and teach them to be strong. To be resilient, to know what is good and right, and what is wrong. We try and teach them to be able to stand up to boys and say “No”. To protect their chastity and their sexuality, and to be comfortable with their sexuality as well.

But perhaps, herein lies the problem. Perhaps, we also need to teach our boys how to respect women. To value women and not treat them as playthings or objects. To teach our sons that women are equal to men. To teach our sons that women should not be subservient, and that women should be treated well at all times.

Perhaps, this is the root of the problem,for if men respected women and always treated them well, there would be less harassment and abuse.

Let us start today. Let us make a difference. Let us teach our sons the value of a woman, and how to respect her, honour her and cherish her.

Today, I stand with all women with the #MeToo hashtag, and pray that harassment and abuse will,one day, be a thing of the past.

* Dharm Navaratnam reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.