I always thought myself impervious to abuse. “Words can’t hurt, and I don’t care about the trolls.” But what do you do when the “trolls” are people you respect and care about? What do you do when it’s unrelenting? Let’s talk about abuse, what it causes, and what a community can - and should - do.
On my shelf is the White Camel Award I received in 2015. I lived and breathed this community for many years, and it’s been a part of every aspect of my life. It’s been my home and my vacation. But over the years, the abuse intensified to the point that I just couldn’t bear it anymore. Many people asked what happened and why I left. This is it.