Most Americans agree that sexual assault or harassment is a large problem (67%) in the U.S. today, but women (79%) are much more likely than men (55%) to see this as a large problem.
- Eight in 10 (82%) Americans say women are more likely to speak out about sexual assault or harassment since news of Harvey Weinstein's multiple allegations broke, compared to 61 percent of Americans who say women are more likely to speak out since Trump took office.
- Republicans cut Republicans more slack, though. Party lines make a difference when it comes to whether accused politicians should step down. A majority of Republicans and Democrats agree that a Democratic congressman accused of multiple instances of sexual harassment should resign (71% and 74% respectively). However, when asked about a GOP member of Congress, fewer Republicans say the Congressman should resign (54%), while a larger share of Democrats say the same (82%).
- Fair treatment of the accused in the media? While the majority of Americans say the media is treating the men fairly (60%), over half of Republicans (52%) think the accused men are being treated unfairly in the media, more than double the share for Democrats (20%).
- When forced to choose, most people believe the women making accusations of sexual assault or harassment (85%) over the men who have been accused, but far more Democrats believe the women (93%) than Republicans (78%).
- #MeToo = meaningful change? Over half (56%) think the movement will lead to meaningful change in society, compared to 36 percent who say it is more of a distraction. Men and women are equally likely to say that the movement will lead to change (54% and 59% respectively), but there are vast divides by party: 55 percent of Republicans say #MeToo is a distraction, while 77 percent of Democrats say the movement will lead to meaningful change.
- #MeToo encourages some to speak up. Though 61 percent say it made no difference, over a quarter (28%) of men say they are now more likely to speak up if they witness sexual assault or harassment, as a result of the #MeToo movement. Few (4%) say the movement makes them less likely to voice their concerns.
- When it comes to reporting sexual assault or harassment at work, a third of women (32%) say they are now more likely to report sexual assault or harassment at work because of the #MeToo movement.
See what TIME published on the topic along with their Person of the Year for 2017, The Silence Breakers.
Read more about our polling methodology here.
Click through the topline findings from the 2017 poll below:
Sample question text:
How much of a problem is sexual assault or harassment in America today?
Generally speaking, how often do you think the American public believes women when they make accusations of sexual assault or harassment?
In your opinion, are these men who have been accused of sexual assault or harassment being treated fairly or unfairly in the news?
How worried are you that men will be wrongly accused of sexual assault or harassment?
(half sample) Since Donald Trump was elected as President, do you think the American public is more or less likely to believe women when they make accusations of sexual assault or harassment?
(half sample) Since Donald Trump was elected as President, do you think women are more or less likely to speak out about sexual assault or harassment?
(half sample) Since news broke about Harvey Weinstein’s multiple sexual assault allegations, do you think the American public is more or less likely to believe women when they make accusations of sexual assault or harassment?
(half sample) Since news broke about Harvey Weinstein’s multiple sexual assault allegations, do you think women are more or less likely to speak out about sexual assault or harassment?
If a Democratic Congressman is accused of multiple instances of sexual assault or harassment should they be forced to resign?
If a Republican Congressman is accused of multiple instances of sexual assault or harassment should they be forced to resign?
In general, do you have a positive or negative opinion of the #MeToo movement?Has the #MeToo movement changed your opinion of what behaviors are considered to be sexual assault or harassment?
*women *voters
