Author Neil Gaiman has strongly denied multiple allegations of sexual misconduct following an article published by New York Magazine. The article cites allegations from several women, including claims of sexual harassment, coercion and abuse.
Gaiman responded in a lengthy statement on his personal website, “I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone.”
In July, two women accused Gammon of sexual harassment, one of whom claimed that Gammon had raped her when she was 22 and working as a nanny for his family in New Zealand . Gaiman denied the allegation at the time, saying that all of his sexual relationships were consensual.
Following the release of the podcast, a third woman came forward alleging coercion. She said that while working as Gammon’s caretaker in New York, he pressured her into a sexual relationship in exchange for allowing her to stay on his property. She also alleged that Gammon forced her to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in exchange for a payment of $275,000. Gaiman again denied the claims and said that their relationship was consensual.
This week, New York Magazine escalated the controversy with accounts from eight women, six of whom went on the record. Four women participated in the Tortoise podcast series, and repeated allegations of sexual misconduct and coercion.
In his statement published on his personal website, Gaiman denied all allegations.
“Over the past several months, I have watched with horror and dismay the stories about me circulating on the Internet,” he wrote. “I have remained silent until now, out of respect for the people who were sharing their stories and also out of a desire not to draw too much attention to a lot of misinformation.”
“I went back to read the messages I had exchanged with women nearby and followed up on the occasions that were later revealed to be abusive. These messages now read just as they did when I met – two people enjoying a completely consensual sexual relationship and wanting to see each other again,” he said. This is something that I really deeply regret Is.”
He wrote, “Some of the horror stories now being told never happened, while others have been so distorted from what actually happened that they bear no relation to reality.” “I am willing to take responsibility for any missteps I have made. I am not willing to turn my back on the truth, and I cannot accept being described as someone I am not, and who “I can’t accept the things I’m doing and won’t do.”
The allegations have affected Gammon’s career. Three screen adaptations of his works have either been canceled or put on hold. Netflix halted production of Dead Boy Detectives, Amazon delayed the third and final season of Good Omens, and Disney halted a planned adaptation of The Graveyard Book.
Neither streaming service has explicitly confirmed that these actions were related to the allegations.
