Neil Gaiman Responds to Sexual Assault Allegations: Denies Claims, Calls Some Scenarios ‘Misinformation’

Yesterday, Vulture released a damning cover story, putting sexual assault allegations against Gaiman in the spotlight. The allegations are nothing new, initially reported by Tortoise Media, the allegations involve claims from two women who accuse Gaiman of sexual assault during what they describe as a consensual relationship. According to the alleged victims, Gaiman engaged in degrading and non-consensual sexual encounters with them.

In the past, Neil Gaiman has vehemently denied allegations of non-consensual sex brought forward by two women. He contends that K’s accusations are rooted in regret over their past relationship, while he attributes Scarlett’s claims to a condition linked to false memories, despite the Tortoise report finding no support for this in her medical records.

In addition to denying the allegations, Gaiman criticized the New Zealand police for allegedly disregarding his offer to cooperate with one woman’s complaint in 2022, suggesting deficiencies in their investigation.

Now after the cover story broke, the entertainment world was shocked and horrified, with even J.K. Rowling voicing her opinion on the matter. The writer once again denied the allegations published by Vulture via his personal blog. The blog post titled ‘Breaking the Silence’ acknowledges the circulating allegations about him, expressing shock and dismay.

As I read through this latest collection of accounts, there are moments I half-recognise and moments I don’t, descriptions of things that happened sitting beside things that emphatically did not happen. I’m far from a perfect person, but I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever. 

He denies any non-consensual sexual activity, stating that some of the reported events are mischaracterized or never occurred. He admits to being emotionally unavailable and careless in past relationships, expressing regret for his actions but asserts that he has never engaged in abuse.

I went back to read the messages I exchanged with the women around and following the occasions that have subsequently been reported as being abusive. These messages read now as they did when I received them – of two people enjoying entirely consensual sexual relationships and wanting to see one another again. At the time I was in those relationships, they seemed positive and happy on both sides.

And I also realise, looking through them, years later, that I could have and should have done so much better. I was emotionally unavailable while being sexually available, self-focused and not as thoughtful as I could or should have been. I was obviously careless with people’s hearts and feelings, and that’s something that I really, deeply regret. It was selfish of me. I was caught up in my own story and I ignored other people’s.

Gaiman stresses that while he takes responsibility for his mistakes, he won’t accept false claims or admit to actions he didn’t commit, and he is committed to learning and growing from his past.

At the same time, as I reflect on my past – and as I re-review everything that actually happened as opposed to what is being alleged – I don’t accept there was any abuse. To repeat, I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone.

Some of the horrible stories now being told simply never happened, while others have been so distorted from what actually took place that they bear no relationship to reality. I am prepared to take responsibility for any missteps I made. I’m not willing to turn my back on the truth, and I can’t accept being described as someone I am not, and cannot and will not admit to doing things I didn’t do.

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