[WATCH] 'The Silence Breakers' named Time's Person of the Year

Time Magazine has named "the Silence Breakers" – those who spoke out against sexual abuse and harassment – as its "Person of the Year".

The movemement, closely associated with the #MeToo hashtag started as allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein started.

The Times said that the hashtag is "part of the picture, but not all of it".

"This is the fastest-moving social change we've seen in decades," editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal said.

Speaking to NBC’s Today programme, he said that it "began with individual acts of courage by hundreds of women - and some men, too - who came forward to tell their own stories".

The magazine illustrated the nature of sexual harassment by showcasing people from different backgrounds on its cover.

Celebrities were  featured, including Ashley Judd, one of the first to speak out against Weinstein, and pop singer Taylor Swift, who won a civil case against an ex-DJ who she said had grabbed her bottom.

Actor Terry Crews was also featured, after being one of the few male actors to speak out against harassment this year.

President Donald Trump was named as runner-up. He was given the title last year.

The magazine's tradition, which begun in 1927 as "Man of the Year", recognises the person who "for better or for worse... has done the most to influence the events of the year".