Neil Gaiman was accused of sexual assault

In a four-part podcast by the British broadcaster Turtle MediaTwo women have accused Neil Gaiman of sexually harassing them. The complaints span two decades and involve Scarlett, 23, and K, then 18, who both say that the American Gods And The Sandman The author crossed their boundaries by having “rough and degrading sex” with them, even though they were in an otherwise consensual relationship with him.

Scarlett claims Gaiman assaulted her within hours of meeting her at his New Zealand residence in February 2022, when she was hired as a nanny for his child. The two apparently shared a bathroom where, according to Gaiman, they “cuddled” and “made out” only with consent. A three-week relationship followed, during which Gaiman claims the two practiced “only consensual digital penetration,” in the words of the tortoise report. However, Scarlett claims that during this time Gaiman “performed rough and degrading penetrative sexual acts on her.” In her report tortoise cites text messages and conversations with Scarlett’s friends that support her allegations.

The second woman, known as K, says she was 18 when she met Gaiman at a book signing in Sarasota, Florida, in 2003. They allegedly began a relationship when K was 20 and Gaiman was in his mid-40s. She claims she had painful sex during their relationship that she “neither wanted nor enjoyed.” In one instance, she claims, Gaiman penetrated her despite her asking him not to because she was suffering from a painful infection at the time.

Accordingly tortoiseGaiman “strongly denies all allegations of non-consensual sex with the women” and points out that “New Zealand police did not accept his offer of assistance” regarding Scarlett’s 2022 complaint, which he says “reflects the lack of substance of it.” He also apparently believes that Scarlett was suffering from a condition associated with false memories at the time of their relationship, a claim that, the outlet notes, “is not supported by her medical records and medical history.”

Gaiman also denies any unlawful conduct towards K and is apparently “troubled by her allegations”. tortoise writes that he “believes K’s allegations are motivated by her regret over their relationship.” Representatives for Gaiman did not immediately respond to The AV Clubfor a comment on this story.

If you or someone you know is suffering from sexual abuse, contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.