'Sandman' Author Neil Gaiman Denies Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

On Monday, New York Magazine published accounts of eight women who accused the author of sexual assault, sexual misconduct and coercion in an article titled "There Is No Safe Word".

Several women have now come forward and accused the best-selling author Neil Gaiman of rape, sexual violence, and abuse of power, which the "Sandman" writer has "categorically denied", saying all the encounters were consensual.

On Monday, New York Magazine published accounts of eight women who accused the author of sexual assault, sexual misconduct and coercion in an article titled "There Is No Safe Word".

Advertisement

Last year, the 64-year-old author whose books "Good Omens," "American Gods," and "The Sandman" have all been adapted into popular TV series, was accused of sexual abuse by four women during a Tortoise Media podcast "Master". Gaiman had denied the accusations at the time.

One of the accusers, Scarlett Pavlovich, told New York Magazine she met Gaiman through his then-wife Amanda Palmer on a New Zealand island where the couple lived with their son in 2022.

Advertisement

Pavlovich remembered that Gaiman sexually assaulted her in February 2022. That was in a backyard bathtub where she had been unknowingly assaulted. Other descriptions include alleged sexual assault on a woman under the covers on a bed in a hotel room with his son playing an iPad in the same room.

The majority of women Gaiman allegedly assaulted ranged in age from their 20s. The youngest was 18 years old at the time. Gaiman was 40 years or older then.

Advertisement

Six women interviewed on the record with New York Magazine said they were in a consensual sexual relationship with the author at various times but reported he preferred rough sex and BDSM activity that they didn't always agree to beforehand.

Two of the women who had been employees of the author reported that they felt compelled within the relationship because they were employees of Gaiman and lived on the property.

Advertisement

In a statement posted on his official website, Gaiman denied all allegations against him and said he has "never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever."

"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.

Advertisement

Some of the terrible 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," he said.

Gaiman said he is prepared to take responsibility for "any missteps I made" but won't turn my back on the truth.

Advertisement

"I cannot accept being defined as a man I am not, and can't and will not admit to doing things that I didn't do," he said.

The British-born individual said he has read the various allegations circulating over the internet concerning him over the past few months with "horror and dismay".

Advertisement

"I have tried to be private, and grew increasingly to think that social media was the worst place to say things about something important in your private life. And I have got to the place where I have to say this," he added.

Read also| NATO Strengthens Baltic Security in Response to Unverified Report of Russian Fleet

Advertisement

Read also| British Sikh MP Reiterates Call for UK Parliament Inquiry into Operation Blue Star

Advertisement