Neil Gaiman Responds to Sexual Assault Allegations: 'I've Never Engaged in Non-Consensual Sexual Activity'
(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Writers Guild of America East)

Neil Gaiman Responds to Sexual Assault Allegations: ‘I’ve Never Engaged in Non-Consensual Sexual Activity’

Author Neil Gaiman has responded to allegations of sexual assault from a recent New York Magazine story, claiming that he has never had any non-consensual sex with anyone.

What did Neil Gaiman say about the allegations?

Gaiman took to his blog on Tuesday. He addressed the various reports about him, noting that he had chosen to stay quiet “out of respect for the people who were sharing their stories” as well as a “desire not to draw even more attention” to what he claims is “misinformation.”

In his lengthy response, Gaiman acknowledges that he mishandled personal relationships, and said he was “emotionally unavailable while being sexually available, self-focused and not as thoughtful as I could or should have been.” However, when it comes to the more serious allegations made against him, Gaiman said adamantly that they were not true.

“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,” wrote Gaiman. “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.”

Allegations against Gaiman first surfaced in July of last year, when Tortoise Media reported that Gaiman had been accused of sexual assault by two women. This past week, New York Magazine wrote a more detailed report on the incident, with reporter Lila Shapiro speaking to eight women, four of whom also participated in Tortoise’s podcast series.

The NY Mag report featured stories from the women that alleged that Gaiman sexually assaulted them, and also had a preference for rough sex and BDSM activities that he would not seek consent for beforehand. The article also features claims from a former babysitter for Gaiman and Amanda Palmer, his ex-wife, who met the pair when she was 18, and who alleges that Gaiman attempted to sexually assault her when on his tour bus.

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