Safety & Online Abuse

Threats, harassment, and other intimidation tactics are deployed, online and off, to undermine free expression. Writers and their allies—including authors, journalists, scholars, and librarians—are explicitly targeted for their professions and their identities, particularly if they are women, people of color, LGBTQ+, have a disability, or belong to religious or ethnic minorities. From violent threats and stalking to doxing, hateful slurs, and gender-based harassment, writers and their allies are increasingly subjected to relentless digital, physical, and psychological attacks. Such attacks can cause significant physical and psychological harm, leading to self-censorship and silencing.

PEN America is committed to supporting writers and their allies in the face of abuse, threats, and other safety risks so they can continue their vital work. We approach safety holistically because the digital, physical, legal, and psychological aspects of safety are often intertwined. Through our safety and online abuse defense programming, we: provide safety training and resources; collaborate with organizations—including newsrooms, publishers, universities, libraries—to strengthen safety policies and protocols; conduct research and advocacy on safety and free expression; and work in coalition with partner organizations to defend free expression.