Acclaimed writer Neil Gaiman has been accused of sexual assault by two girls who beforehand had consensual relationships with him.
Based on a brand new report from British information outlet Tortoise Media, the allegations in opposition to Gaiman span 20 years and contain younger girls who got here into contact with Gaiman as a nanny to his baby and as a fan of his writing, respectively.
The next article incorporates doubtlessly triggering materials regarding sexual assault and violence. Should you consider you might have skilled or witnessed sexual misconduct and are on the lookout for assist, seek the advice of the Canadian Useful resource Centre for Victims of Crime to search out assets in your space.
A 23-year-old girl named Scarlett alleges that Gaiman sexually assaulted her inside hours of their assembly in February 2022 in a shower at his New Zealand residence. Tortoise studies that Gaiman’s account of the connection is that they “solely ‘cuddled’ and ‘made out’ within the tub and that he had established consent for this,” which led to a three-week sexual relationship wherein “they solely ever engaged in consensual digital penetration.”
Scarlett alleges that Gaiman “engaged in tough and degrading penetrative sexual acts together with her” — a declare supported by Tortoise‘s viewing of “contemporaneous messages, notes,” and recollections of Scarlett’s associates the outlet spoke to.
The second girl, recognized within the report as Ok, met Gaiman at a ebook signing in Sarasota, FL, in 2003 when she was 18 years previous. Upon turning 20, she started a romantic relationship with Gaiman, who was then in his mid-40s. Per Tortoise, she claims she “submitted to tough and painful intercourse that ‘she neither needed nor loved.'”
Tortoise Media studies that Gaiman “strongly denies any allegations of non-consensual intercourse with the ladies,” including that New Zealand police allegedly “didn’t take up his supply of help over one girl’s criticism in 2022, which he says, displays its lack of substance.”
In response, New Zealand police stated that they had made a “variety of makes an attempt to talk to key folks as a part of this investigation and people efforts stay ongoing,” including that there are “quite a few components to take into accounts with this case, together with location of all events.”
The outlet writes that Gaiman “believes Ok’s allegations are motivated by her remorse over their relationship and that Scarlett was affected by a situation related to false recollections on the time of her relationship with him,” noting that this declare will not be supported by her medical information and medical historical past.
Gaiman, 63, was named one of many 100 most influential folks on this planet by Time journal final 12 months. An writer of brief fiction, novels, comedian books and extra, his authentic works, together with The Sandman and American Gods, have been tailored for display screen.