Author Neil Gaiman credibly accused of sexual harassment by several women

British author Neil Gaiman is facing serious allegations of sexual harassment from two women, a detailed investigation by Tortoise Media has revealed. The incidents, which occurred almost 20 years apart, involve women who were in consensual relationships with Gaiman at the time.

The first accuser, Scarlett, was a 23-year-old nanny for Gaiman’s child in New Zealand in 2022 and during Gaiman’s then-very public open marriage. Scarlett claims Gaiman assaulted her in a bathtub just hours after they met at his home. While both parties agree they had a three-week consensual relationship, Scarlett claims Gaiman engaged in non-consensual “rough and degrading penetrative sexual acts.”

Tortoise Media backed up Scarlett’s claims with contemporary news reports, notes and testimony from friends she confided in at the time.

The second accuser, K, met Gaiman at a book signing in Florida in 2003 when she was 18. They began a consensual relationship when she turned 20, while Gaiman was in his mid-40s. K claims that Gaiman, now 63, repeatedly engaged in rough and painful penetrative sex that she “neither wanted nor enjoyed.” She also claims that Gaiman ignored her refusal to have sex while she was suffering from a painful infection.

You can listen to Tortoise’s four-part audio investigation below:

• Episode one: the bathroom

• Episode two: the WhatsApps

• Episode three: the pond

• Episode four: The Fan

Gaiman denies any non-consensual sex. Regarding Scarlett’s allegations, he stated that the bathtub incident only involved cuddling and consensual digital penetration. He suggested that Scarlett’s claims may have been influenced by a medical condition that causes “false memories,” a theory not supported by her medical records. Gaiman has also denied K’s allegations, attributing them to her “regret over the relationship.”

New Zealand police have launched an investigation into Scarlett’s complaint, but Gaiman claims his offer to help with the investigation was turned down. He continues to maintain his innocence in both cases.