From Silence to Narration: An Analysis of the Me Too Movement as Narrative Justice

Gholamloo, Jamshid; Heidari, Fatemeh

doi:10.22106/jlj.2026.2065836.6345

From Silence to Narration: An Analysis of the Me Too Movement as Narrative Justice

Document Type : Research/Original/Regular Article

Authors

Jamshid Gholamloo ¹

Fatemeh Heidari ²

¹ University of Tehran

² Master at Criminal Law & Criminology, Faculty of Law & Political Science, University of Tehran

10.22106/jlj.2026.2065836.6345

Abstract

Focusing on the concept of “Narrative Justice”, this study examines the achievements and challenges of the Me Too movement. By highlighting the victims’ right to narrate their experiences of sexual violence, this movement evolved into a collective and political action. Nevertheless, adopting a descriptive–analytical approach, this article demonstrates that, despite its discursive achievements, this movement has largely remained at the stage of “disclosure” and has encountered a fundamental paradox in criminal justice: the tension between the victim’s right to be heard and the accused’s right to be presumed innocent. By criticizing the historical solution, namely the suppression or silencing of narratives in favor of the presumption of innocence, this study concludes that a fair approach lies in establishing a balance that can relatively adequately safeguard both rights. The criminal justice system is obliged to protect the fundamental right to the presumption of innocence and the requirement that accusations be proven beyond any reasonable doubt and, at the same time, it must recognize the fundamental right of victims to be heard and to seek justice. This proposed model certainly does not resolve all complexities; rather, instead of closing this paradox in favor of one side, it keeps the paradox “open” in a responsible and fair manner.

Keywords

Criminal Proof

Defamation

Female Victims

Me Too Movement

Narrative Justice

Sexual Violence

Subjects