I don’t think there has been a good cure invented yet for trolls.
Personally, I subscribe to the theory that you own your keys to your own happiness, and if you’re giving your keys of happiness away to trolls, well, that’s your own fault.
I would love to say I had mastered that — and I haven’t— but once you recognize that you’re handing over the keys of your happiness to troll comments, then you can do something about it. The real cure is to develop compassion and forgiveness for them, because as horrible as they are, they’re living in ignorance of the pain they’re inflicting, and they will suffer in their own ways.
It almost becomes a spiritual practice to take them back.
Now, I haven’t read your pieces about rape yet, nor have I had such experiences, but I have supported those vulnerable to suicide, and I’ve listened to many stories. And these stories need to be told.
It’s in sharing these stories, that we lift the stigma about talking about rape, loneliness, self-harm, suicide, abuse. It’s in sharing such stories that help reach people who’ve experienced something similar to realize that they’re not alone, as there is nothing worse than feeling ostracized by a community for something outrageous that has happened to you… only for that to magnify the suffering you go through.
I would love to be able to educate trolls on the harm they cause, and to help them find other ways to channel whatever energy they’re trying to express… well, it helps to dream.
Until then, thank you sharing you stories. Find a way to vanquish trolls and you’ll rule the universe.