I've received nasty PM's in the past, one in particular was just plain ugly and cruel and so completely unwarranted that it took my breath away. Fortunately, I've also received some beautiful, uplifting PM's that have literally turned my entire day and life around. There are some situations where the PM feature is good and works well, particularly when someone is uncomfortable going more into detail about a sensitive subject, but somebody else on the board has more expertise in dealing with that issue. It can be healing and enriching to take the deeper aspects of that issue into PM with that other person. Eg, issues like sexual abuse, personal health issues - some of us may feel comfortable sharing up to a point in the public forum (remember always that anyone and everyone can read the public forum), but some of us may not be able to divulge the deeper aspects of that issue except in a more intimate, safer environment, which the PM provides.

I agree, PM's should never be used to attack, ostracize, ridicule or diminish anyone in any way. Unfortunately, there are some here who do resort to that kind of cowardly, mean-spirited behaviour...but there are many of us who DO NOT, who use the PM feature to do good and to bring healing and comfort to each other.

If I recall correctly, there is a way to turn off PM in the preferences under individual profiles. Or you can filter out who can PM you and who cannot.