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The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a massive shift to web-based communication, which has left Americans more susceptible to devastating forms of online abuse. Around the world, protests against racism remind us that civil rights must be protected everywhere, from public squares to private platforms.

Since 2012, CCRI has been doing the hard work to sound alarm bells about the harms caused by online abuse, and the devastating impacts to vulnerable communities.  Today, we are working harder than ever before.  

Below, we have included a list of resources that could be helpful during this time, as well as an update on our most recent work.

Upcoming Events 

• Please join CCRI President Mary Anne Franks on Wednesday, June 10 at noon Eastern for a discussion about race, racism, and the First Amendment.  The event will be hosted by the Miami-Dade chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, and Mary Anne will be joined by her Miami Law colleague, Professor Osamudia James. Space is limited, so RSVP soon! You can register for this important event here:  https://www.mdfawl.org/events-1/race-racism-the-first-amendment/form  

• Please also join us for a Twitter Q & A on June 24th from 1-2 pm Eastern, when our leadership will be answering questions about the recent spike in online abuse.  More information to follow.  

Resources for Victims of Online Abuse 

• The CCRI Crisis Helpline remains available 24/7 to support victims of nonconsensual pornography. We thank you in advance for your patience, as our wait times are longer than typical.  We also continue to offer vital resources on our website, including a roster of low-bono attorneys, a state-by-state list of NCP laws, and an online image removal guide.  

• If you have been a victim of online abuse, you may find the shift toward web-based communications to be uniquely challenging. Francesca Rossi, LCSW, offers some helpful strategies for survivors in  "A Guide to Coping with Quarantine for Survivors of Digital Violence."  

  • Survivors of online abuse who are based in New York state and who would like to connect with a therapist might also contact Francesca at her practice, Thriving Through. Thriving Through specializes in working with those who have experienced digital violence.

Important Reading 

• You can read about Cyber Civil Rights in the Time of COVID-19 in the Harvard Law Review Blog, by CCRI Vice President Danielle Citron and CCRI President Mary Anne Franks.  

• You may have heard in recent news about the Executive Order on Preventing Online Censorship.  Dr. Franks shared her perspective on this order in an article for The Atlantic, and she offered a deeper dive into the First Amendment and Section 230 at a virtual panel event hosted by The Aspen Institute.  

With very best wishes,
The CCRI Team 

P.S.  If you are in a financial position to contribute to CCRI, please know that every gift will help us sustain our operations. We are grateful to you in advance.