LONDON, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- A fund set up as a result of the MeToo movement has awarded more than one million pounds (1.32 million U.S. dollars) to help women who have experienced sexual harassment and abuse, it has announced Thursday.
The Justice and Equality Fund, which has been backed by stars including Emma Watson, Keira Knightley and Jodie Whittaker, has given the grants to seven organisations in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to help women victims of sexual harassment.
Harry Potter actress Watson, who made a big donation to the fund earlier this year, said: "This first round of Justice and Equality Fund grants is pivotal in supporting the dynamic work of vital UK women's organisations like London Black Women's Project, who provide specialist advice and support to women of colour and migrant survivors of abuse."
Knightley expressed hopes that people can continue to raise funds to support more of the front-line organisations doing "such critical work with women and girls across the UK".
The fund is being managed by Rosa UK Fund for Women and Girls. Its executive director Samantha Rennie said: "For far too long, women facing sexual harassment and abuse have faced a postcode lottery. Specialist support services are patchy and stretched, leaving many women with nowhere to turn for help.
"These grants will help ensure that no-one is left unsupported when they have been harassed.
The MeToo movement began with a tweet by actress Alyssa Milano in October 2017 after dozens of women came forward to accuse Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, abuse or rape.
The Hollywood-based Time's Up project - and its British arm, Time's Up UK - followed, with more than 300 actresses, writers and directors raising money to support women who have been victims of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.
