>>> [!note] Migrated issue <!-- Drupal.org comment --> <!-- Migrated from issue #1815958. --> Reported by: [arianek](https://www.drupal.org/user/158886) >>> <p>Hi all - </p> <p>As some of you know, I was a target of harassment Monday night and through part of yesterday, by someone on Twitter who is a member of the Drupal community. </p> <p>In the past few days, and over the past few years in other instances, I've received and been witness to many, many private messages, IRC conversations, in person conversations, and emails from other women in the community who have had similar experiences.</p> <p>And despite all this being really unsettling, the thing that stood out the most from the communications with other women in the community is this: <strong>We have no course of action when we are targeted and harassed.</strong> Some have even reported situations much worse than this and not had them dealt with appropriately. Two specifically said part of the reason they've left the community is because of incidents like this that were never resolved, even when raised with people in positions of power in the community.</p> <p>I've had offers from a couple of prominent male community members to help deal with this, but my reaction was both A) How? and B) I don't want to make it worse. The latter is the saddest part, as this is pretty much how this story plays out every time: the person who's been harassed is too afraid to make the situation worse by attempting to confront and deal with the situation in an appropriate manner. So instead we suffer in silence, become fearful, and watch our backs every time we are in public community situations.</p> <p>The suggestion was made that the individual be banned from any DA organized events (such as DrupalCon) in the future, and while I think that (and blacklisting them from Drupal.org entirely) would be an appropriate measure, if history is any sign the worst that tends to happen is a "warning" if anything.</p> <p><strong>There should be a clear and systematic way to deal with harassment, especially sexually charged harassment in the community. And there should be clear and enforceable consequences for this behaviour.</strong> Community members should not have to be afraid of encountering their aggressors at DrupalCon, and nor should these people be given the opportunity to threaten new targets in the community. When it's *clear* someone is a threat and a predator, we need to be able to protect ourselves and other community members from people like this. </p> <p>This is the first time I've felt genuinely fearful for my safety if I were to attend a Con in the US, and that is beyond unfair and not okay. </p> <p>We can't just let this situation keep repeating itself over and over again, and let it keep driving important and valued women out of the community.</p> <p>We need some real traction and resolution on how to deal with these situations so that we can deter this kind of behaviour, and enforce consequences when it does happen. We need reporting something like this to be both possible and simple to do without all kinds of shaming and accusations and negotiations about the consequences, so that women feel able and comfortable to report these situations and have them dealt with appropriately and in a timely manner. </p> <p>These situations have been happening over and over for years without being properly dealt with, and it is beyond past due. I truly hope that it leads to some kind of action, determination of a method of dealing with things like this, and clear way for others to report harassment in the future. </p> <p>We need to take care of our members and keep them safe, and put our foot down - no warnings, no second chances when it's a serious situation where someone's threatened or in danger.</p> <p>Thanks and let me know if you need more input/info.</p>