This is very disturbing. I have been a member of NaNoWriMo since 2019 and have won twice. This year has been set to be my third. The idea helped me become a writer. I am really disturbed by these allegations and the Board's lack of action and accountability. I am also really disturbed to find that I did not receive the email they said they sent out despite being a member and having an active account.

I have never participated in the forums. I loathe that kind of thing, but it is clearly part of the NaNoWriMo experience for a lot of people and should be a safe space. Child exploitation is never acceptable and claims of it should always be taken seriously.

What is even more disturbing, is that in investigating this issue beyond this article, I was unable to find any mention of it by larger news organizations though plenty of people are talking about it otherwise. Though I always try to be fair-minded and not jump on internet rage wagons, assuming guilt before proof and due-process, I think this is different. Child safety is incredibly important.

The fact that the Board denies receiving any complaints or having any knowledge of the situation before Nov 7 is a huge issue. If complaints had been taken seriously right away and there had been transparency, it could be different. But what looks like a case of trying to sweep it under the rug. Allowing the forums to continue to be an unsafe space for six months more is not OK.

Though I was really looking forward to showing off that winner's badge again this year, I won't be. I hope everyone affected gets the help and support they need.