After the Harvey Weinstein scandal emerged to the public eye, many celebrities started speaking up on the cruel system of sexual assault that not only resides in Hollywood, but is Hollywood. Many people in the public eye from ex-president George H.W. Bush to journalist Mark Halpherin have been publically accused of sexual assault since Weinstein. Sexual assaults don’t end there though and a hashtag sparked all over social media that proves that. #metoo is being used to show the magnitude of the issue. It is displaying how sexual assault can happen to anyone at any time and is a larger issue than the public recognizes.

This hashtag questions what society will deem as acceptable behavior. It encompasses those who have experienced cat-calling, inappropriate touching, rape, and anything else that can be classified as non-consensual sexual behavior.

I personally have seen countless people use the hashtag- from major celebrities to my own peers and it’s somewhat liberating seeing a taboo subject like this rise to the forefront of society-subtle, yet unavoidable.

However, it’s simultaneously tragic. There is no excuse for the number of people who have been subject to sexual assault.

This hashtag itself isn’t necessarily going to do anything. It may be on people’s mind now, but how long will that last and how long will it affect their choices and actions?

For the modeling world, it has already made an impact.

Terry Richardson is a photographer well-known for taking photos for magazines owned by Condé Nast International (such as Vogue and Vanity fair), photographing of big names such as Barack Obama and Beyoncé, and even directing music videos such as “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus. He is also notorious for his sexual misconduct towards his models.

This week a leaked email revealed that Condé Nast International would no longer be working with him.

Controversy has arisen from this. Many models have spoken up throughout the years about Richardson’s misconduct. This wasn’t some recently appalling large exposé of his behavior that came to a shock as the public, awakening a new view of the photographer. Rather, it was shocking because only a few companies have distanced themselves from him after the initial allegations emerged. It was an unexpected move and many people suspect it was only done because of the strong feelings surrounding the Weinstein scandal.

Is the #metoo movement being twisted and manipulated into something it’s not? As you likely remember from the beginning of this article, the purpose of the hashtag was to bring awareness to sexual assault and to promote change. Will this purpose still stand, or will it be used by companies who didn’t care before to please customers?