Meg Stone is the Executive Director of IMPACT Boston, an abuse prevention and empowerment self-defense organization. Her writing has been published in Huffington Post, Newsweek, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Dame, and Ms. She has received numerous awards for her work over the past 30 years. Meg lives in Cambridge, MA, with her partner Mal and a shockingly large collection of musical theatre cast albums.

"Intriguing . . . This is sure to stir debate."
--Publishers Weekly

"Stone provides a practical, deeply needed resource that expands rather than diminishes the world for women."
--Booklist

"The Cost of Fear delivers a compelling critique of the shortcomings of conventional safety practices. Through meticulous evidence-based research and personal stories, Stone suggests more effective strategies for eliminating gender-based violence."
--Wendy Rouse, author of Her Own Hero

"Meg Stone offers her incredible knowledge with love and compassion, an essential guide for resistance-based self-defense training. Drawing from her decades-long experience, Stone empowers you to build mental resilience and vital techniques for developing situational awareness to defuse gender-based violence quickly for your safety. The Cost of Fear is a must-read for people of all genders and ages, regardless of their fitness and experience levels."
--Rev. Irene Monroe, co-host of All Rev'd Up on Boston Public Radio

"Meg Stone has written a powerful, accessible, and devastatingly acute analysis of the pervasiveness of gender-based violence and why our efforts to prevent it have failed, packed with expert insight drawn from her decades-long career and practical tips to empower women and others who are targeted. The Cost of Fear moved me, enraged me, and educated me. I don't think I'll ever stop thinking about it. I wish this book weren't necessary. But until we live in a better world, get this book."
--Alex Marzano-Lesnevich, author of The Fact of a Body

"In The Cost of Fear, Meg Stone weaves together stories--from the individual to the organizational--and extensive research to offer a comprehensive understanding of the problem of gender-based violence. She makes a clear, compelling case for safety through resistance to both protect individuals and change society. Valuable for everyone from policy-makers to individuals wanting to increase their safety, this book can change the world."
--Lauren R. Taylor, founder-director of Defend Yourself

Publisher: Beacon Press

Pub date: 2026-02-24

Length: 232 pages