### Title

Sex Crime and Punishment in the #MeToo Era

Introduction: This article examines how sexual harassment and assault cases have been addressed through legal frameworks since the rise of social media movements advocating for accountability.

Research Questions & Methods: We investigate whether high-profile cases influenced public discourse and legislative action. Our analysis draws on news reports, court records, and public opinion polls from 2017-2023 to identify patterns in reporting, legal outcomes, and societal responses across multiple countries.

Key Findings: Our research reveals several important trends: increased public awareness of previously underreported crimes; shifts in how society perceives these offenses post-movement; mixed results regarding legislative changes versus enforcement practices;

* Greater media attention on cases led to higher reporting rates but also raised concerns about due process.

* Countries showed varied responses, from strengthening protections for victims to creating new legal challenges.

* We observed both progress in accountability and backlash against the movement's momentum.

Implications: The findings highlight how social movements can drive policy change while revealing tensions between public sentiment and formal legal processes. This has profound implications for understanding modern governance, discourse dynamics, and the complex relationship between activism and legislation.