Tarana Burke refuses to wait for conversations about sexual violence to evolve naturally. The ‘me too.’ International co-founder unveiled the Disruptors Council to accelerate change. The new collective unites powerhouse voices including Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.
WNBA forward Breanna Stewart, media personality Bevy Smith, Padma Lakshmi, therapist Kier Gaines, and activist Marley Dias also join the council. Their mission focuses on making prevention the centerpiece of sexual violence conversations. This marks a decisive shift from awareness to actionable systemic change.
Shifting Focus from Awareness to Prevention
Burke recognizes that awareness alone cannot stop violence. “Recent high-profile cases have once again made clear just how prevalent sexual violence still is,” she stated. The Disruptors Council addresses systems that allow sexual violence to persist.
“Real change happens when we work together to address the systems that allow sexual violence to persist, not just respond to its effects,” Burke explained. The movement approaches its 10th anniversary in 2027. The last decade proved that viral hashtags don’t prevent harm without follow-through action.
Understanding the Scope of Gender-Based Violence
Statistics reveal the crisis’s true scale across the globe. One in three women will experience gender-based violence in their lifetime, according to the UN. Society continues treating each case as an isolated incident rather than a systemic pattern.
This fragmented approach prevents meaningful change from taking root. Burke wants to transform how communities understand and address sexual violence. The Disruptors Council represents a strategic move toward treating prevention as public health policy.
Diverse Voices Drive Comprehensive Solutions
The council’s strength comes from representing multiple cultural sectors. Members span entertainment, politics, sports, media, and mental health fields. Sexual violence affects every community, so solutions must reach every space.
These influential voices will push prevention conversations into unexpected places. Their combined platforms make sexual violence prevention feel like common sense rather than specialized advocacy work. Strategic diversity ensures the message reaches broader audiences effectively.
Viola Davis Raises Her Hand as a Survivor
Davis brings personal experience and powerful advocacy to the council. “I raise my hand as a survivor and the daughter of a survivor,” the acclaimed actress declared. Her commitment extends beyond personal healing to breaking collective silence.
“I raise my hand to be seen and to break the silence and invisibility of sexual assault,” Davis continued. She aims to destroy stigma and shame while helping survivors reclaim their worth. “I’m proud to be a disruptor,” she stated firmly.
Gabrielle Union Champions Generational Change
Union’s advocacy stems from both survivor experience and motherhood. “I speak up because change starts with raising our voices and standing for what’s right,” the actress and New York Times bestselling author explained. Her work considers how violence impacts future generations.
“I disrupt by challenging the status quo in ways that create opportunity, understanding, and progress for everyone,” Union added. She brings entertainment industry influence alongside authentic personal testimony. Her dual perspective strengthens the council’s multi-generational approach to prevention.
From Viral Movement to Lasting Infrastructure
Burke is transforming ‘me too.’ from a moment into permanent change. The movement began as grassroots organizing and grew into a global force. Now it’s building frameworks for long-term prevention rather than reactive responses.
The Disruptors Council treats sexual violence as the public health crisis it represents. Burke refuses to accept violence as an inevitability that society simply manages. Instead, she positions prevention as achievable through coordinated effort and systemic intervention.
Moving Beyond Hashtags to Systemic Action
The #MeToo hashtag went viral and people shared stories worldwide. Survivors named perpetrators and broke long-held silences, which mattered tremendously. However, Burke always focused on what happens after initial attention fades.
The world paid attention briefly before conversations quieted down again. This pattern demonstrates why awareness campaigns alone cannot create lasting change. Burke designed the Disruptors Council to maintain momentum and build accountability structures.
Turning Collective Outrage into Collective Action
Burke is betting on unified action from influential changemakers. The council transforms individual advocacy into coordinated strategy across multiple sectors. This approach aims to embed prevention into cultural conversations permanently.
The goal is making sexual violence prevention an expected part of institutional responsibility. By uniting diverse disruptors, Burke creates infrastructure for sustained pressure on systems. Collective action replaces isolated responses with comprehensive prevention frameworks that address root causes.
