'Me too' – They're just two simple words, but they currently carry a tremendous amount of weight on social media.

Used to highlight the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault in contemporary society, the hashtag has swept Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in the last 36 hours, and there's no denying the magnitude of the campaign.

Taking to Instagram earlier today, Ugly Betty star, America Ferrera, contributed to the conversation, and provided her fans and followers with a harrowing account as to why the hashtag affects her.

 

33 so sassy

A post shared by America Ferrera (@americaferrera) on Apr 18, 2017 at 12:29pm PDT

"First time I remember being sexually assaulted I was 9-years-old, " she wrote in a post which has amassed more than 36,000 likes so far.

Recalling the anxiety she felt at the time,  the 33-year-old actress continued: "I told no one and lived with the shame and guilt thinking all along that I, a nine-year-old child, was somehow responsible for the actions of a grown man."

 

#metoo

A post shared by America Ferrera (@americaferrera) on Oct 16, 2017 at 6:52pm PDT

The actress, who joins a number of other stars coming forward with their own stories of assault, remembers the horror of having to regularly face the individual who violated her.

“I had to see this man on a daily basis for years to come,” she continued. “He would smile at me and wave, and I would hurry past him, my blood running cold, my guts carrying the burden of what only he and I knew – that he expected me to shut my mouth and smile back.”

America pushed for her followers' support of the hashtag, writing: "Ladies, let’s break the silence to the next generation of girls won’t have to live with this bulls**t.”

 

Can you see my heart bursting out of my body? I love being with my sisters especially when it's to celebrate the badassery of the pants. @amberrosetamblyn directed her stunning first film, Paint It Black, which comes out this Friday! The Sisterhood came out last night to celebrate her enormous talents. We are beyond proud and glowing for her./a>

A post shared by America Ferrera (@americaferrera) on May 16, 2017 at 6:47am PDT

The actress has been inundated with messages of support from the public, with many offering their own experiences alongside the hashtag.

Actress, Alyssa Milano, created the #MeToo platform for victims to come forward in a show of solidarity.