MAPPING METOO: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT POLICIES ACROSS U.S. STATES AND TERRITORIES

Since its launch in 2006, #MeToo has expanded to become a worldwide movement that has brought attention to the widespread problem of sexual harassment and abuse (me too. International, n.d.). The #MeToo movement, launched by Tarana Burke, acts as a convener, innovator, thought leader, and organizer at both the grassroots and mainstream levels to confront the mechanisms that permit the spread of sexual abuse, with an emphasis on communities of color (Vogelstein and Stone, 2021). This thesis explores the influence of the #MeToo movement on the discourse and legal treatment of sexual violence within the United States, focusing on the evolution of state and territorial laws following the movement’s emergence in 2017. This research examines whether and how this digital mobilization translated into measurable shifts within the U.S. legal landscape, particularly across all fifty states and six territories. Through a comparative analysis of statutory language, amendments, and enacted legislation, this thesis assesses how definitions of consent, sexual assault, harassment, and related offenses have evolved since #MeToo’s viral expansion. It also investigates the broader discursive changes reflected in public statements, legislative reports, and institutional responses. By mapping these developments, the research provides an in-depth view of how digital feminist activism can influence both political agendas and concrete policy reforms. Findings suggest that the #MeToo movement generated not only heightened public awareness but also tangible changes in state-level legal frameworks. Several jurisdictions adopted broader definitions of consent, extended statutes of limitations for sexual assault cases, and strengthened workplace harassment protections. However, these reforms were unevenly distributed, revealing deep cultural, political, and structural variations across states and territories. Ultimately, this thesis argues that #MeToo’s enduring significance lies in its ability to transform private experiences into collective political discourse.