me too. International’s Statement on the Inauguration of Donald Trump

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 20, 2025

Media Contact: press@metoomvmt.org

Today, we find ourselves at a crossroads, faced with a moment of deep uncertainty. The re-election and inauguration of a convicted felon and known sexual abuser into the highest office is an insult to survivors of sexual violence, and a betrayal of the values we expect from our leaders. It perpetuates a culture that diminishes the severity of sexual misconduct, undermines accountability, and disregards the experiences and humanity of survivors.

As a survivor justice organization, we fought tirelessly through our Survivors Vote campaign, shoulder to shoulder with the members of our Survivors’ Agenda Network, to mobilize our communities, amplify the voices of survivors, and advocate for a future rooted in healing, justice, and safety. We knew what was at stake: our fundamental rights, our dignity, and the pathways to healing and justice that all survivors deserve.

The results of the presidential election, while disheartening, are not the end of our commitment to the fight for survivor justice. And still, we must name what we are confronting: the return of an administration that, through its policies, actions, and leadership, has demonstrated a callous disregard for the issue of sexual violence and for survivors. The composition of this administration, thus far, includes individuals accused of perpetuating harm, as well as sexual violence—people who fail to meet even the most basic standards of integrity and care.

This is not just a political moment. This is a deeply triggering time for survivors across the nation and the globe. It reopens wounds, deepens fears, and reminds us of the immense barriers we continue to face in the fight to end sexual violence. For many of us who have survived sexual and gender-based violence, this reality can feel like a dismissal of our pain and an erasure of the progress we have worked so hard to achieve. It is a painful and heavy truth to navigate, but it is also part of the continuous call to action.

In this moment, we commit to pausing, reflecting, and grounding ourselves in intentionality. We honor the courage it took for survivors to show up—whether by voting, volunteering, encouraging another survivor, or standing in solidarity with this movement. Your voices will always matter. Our collective voices are powerful reminders of the tenacity and strength that drives this work.

As we move forward, our focus will remain on centering survivors, building communities of care, and creating pathways for collective healing. We will continue to speak truth to power, hold space for those most impacted, and advocate for solutions that dismantle the systems that enable sexual violence. The work ahead will not be easy, but it will be rooted in the strength of survivors and allies who refuse to accept a world where harm and injustice prevail.

To every survivor reading this: You are not alone. Your voice matters. Your survival matters. Your healing matters. Together, we will navigate this moment with intention and resolve, grounded in our shared resilience and an unwavering belief that a world free from sexual violence is not just possible—it is necessary.