Online Abuse & Digital Safety
Online abuse stifles free speech.

Online abuse—from violent threats and hateful slurs to sexual harassment and doxing—poses a direct and pressing threat to free expression. Writers, including journalists and scholars, are targeted for their profession and their identity, especially if they are women, people of color, LGBTQ+, or as members of religious or ethnic minorities. PEN America is committed to supporting all writers so that they can use their voice by: helping those facing abuse and other safety challenges; collaborating with media organizations, publishers, universities and other employers; conducting research and advocacy; and working with partner organizations to fight back.
What You Need to Know
73% of women journalists globally have experienced online abuse
More than half (53%) of faculty are concerned that their work will make them the target of online harassment
⅓ of writers censored their work as a result of online harassment
Statistics courtesy of UNESCO/ICFJ, 2021
Courtesy of The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), 2025
Statistic courtesy PEN America, 2017
Does your organization need help dealing with online abuse?
If you are a writer, journalist, or scholar dealing with online harassment, PEN America has tools and resources to help. Check out our Training Program and contact [email protected] for more information.
Resources
Reports
Blogs & News
Our Experts
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Gisela Pérez de Acha
Consultant and Trainer, Online Abuse Defense Program
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Tat Bellamy-Walker
Program Manager, Digital Safety Training and Resources (Media)
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Yemile Bucay
Consultant, Digital Safety and Free Expression
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beck Haberstroh
Program Manager, Digital Safety Training and Resources (Literature and Education)