Best-selling author Neil Gaiman has responded to explosive allegations of sexual assault and abuse made against him by multiple women in a New York magazine article. In a statement on his website, Gaiman denied engaging in “non-consensual sexual activity with anyone” and described his relationships with the women as “entirely consensual.”
The allegations, which were first reported last summer, involve several women who claim that Gaiman sexually assaulted them, pressured them into performing degrading acts, and abused them in various ways. Some prominent writers and fans have denounced Gaiman’s behavior and criticized the literary world’s response to the allegations.
Gaiman’s lawyers did not respond to a request for further comment. However, his publishers and collaborators have been less forthcoming, with some declining to comment or stating that they would continue to work with him.
The responses from the literary community have been mixed, with some booksellers deciding to stop carrying Gaiman’s books and others remaining uncertain about whether to stock them in the future. Some authors have expressed shock and horror at the allegations, while others have held back due to their personal relationships with Gaiman.
Katherine Kendall, one of the women who accused Gaiman of misconduct, described a culture of secrecy surrounding him and said that she believes his publishers and professional collaborators will continue to enable his behavior as long as they remain silent. Another woman, Kendra Stout, filed a police report accusing Gaiman of raping her in 2007.
Gaiman’s published statement on Tuesday noted that “I could have and should have done so much better” in his relationships with women, but some of the women who came forward were disappointed by what they saw as a non-apology.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/books/neil-gaiman-responds-sexual-assault-allegations.html