Neil Gaiman breaks silence on assault allegations and denies “horrible stories”

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After a report emerged detailing sexual assault accusations against Neil Gaiman, the author has spoken out for the first time in a detailed blog entry. Please be aware that the following content might be upsetting to some readers.

Back in July 2024, Tortoise Media was the first to release accusations against the author of Good Omens, Neil Gaiman, through a four-episode podcast series titled ‘Master: Unveiling the Allegations Against Neil Gaiman’. This investigative series presented sexual misconduct claims from no less than five women.

In the upcoming month, an additional three women publicly shared allegations against Gaiman, which were further discussed in podcast episodes. These accusers assert that their relationships with him were sexual, but they allege these encounters became physically aggressive and non-consenting.

8 women recently spoke out about the accusations more thoroughly in an article by Vulture that was released this week. In light of this, Neil Gaiman, who has temporarily halted production on his television and film projects, has now expressed his thoughts on the matter.

Neil Gaiman addresses allegations in journal post

On Tuesday, January 14th, the writer of “The Sandman” publicly refuted the accusations, expressing his shock and distress over the online rumors about him for several months.

As a devoted admirer, I’ve chosen to remain silent up till now. This was done out of reverence for those bravely narrating their experiences, as well as an attempt to avoid amplifying the already rampant spread of false information further.

Gaiman admitted that he’s always aimed for privacy, yet he’s come to a stage where he believes it’s necessary to speak up about something.

Instead of directly stating that the recent reports are only partially accurate, Gaiman expresses, “I’m far from being a flawless individual, but I have never knowingly participated in any non-consensual sexual activity.” In a more subtle manner, Gaiman acknowledges potential room for improvement in his actions by saying, “I could have acted much better.

He admitted that during that time, he was open to romantic encounters but lacked emotional depth. He was primarily concerned about himself and didn’t always consider the thoughts and feelings of others as much as he should have. Regrettably, he caused hurt to people’s emotions, something he deeply regrets.

In a subsequent statement, Gaiman expressed that he’s “picking up new things” and “striving to accomplish the necessary tasks.” He concluded his post by saying, “Some of the gruesome tales being circulated currently never transpired, while others have been so twisted from what truly occurred that they no longer resemble reality.

As a conscientious individual, I stand ready to acknowledge and learn from any errors I may have committed. I staunchly uphold honesty and refuse to shy away from the truth, no matter how challenging it may be. I vehemently reject any attempts to mischaracterize me, for I am unwilling to be defined by someone else’s perception. And let it be known that I will never concede to accusations of actions I did not perform.

In response to certain assertions in the Vulture article, Gaiman’s agents have stated that these incidents were consensual and that there was no engagement in any sexual activity with his son present.

Additionally, they addressed the points raised in the podcast, explaining to Tortoise that while not everyone might find it appealing, BDSM (bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, and masochism) is legal among consenting adults.

In my gaming world, here’s how I might put it:

Back in January 2023, there was an allegation of sexual assault against Gaiman that was reported to the New Zealand authorities. However, that case didn’t pan out and now we’re left in limbo about whether he’ll be under investigation by law enforcement agencies elsewhere. It’s all a bit hazy right now.

Currently, the production of his TV and film projects has temporarily stopped. Initially planned for a third season, Good Omens was supposed to continue, but Amazon Prime Video revealed in October 2024 that it would conclude with a full-length special episode instead.

Last month, it became known that Disney postponed its film adaptation of Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book due to the ongoing allegations.

Gaiman faces backlash to new statement

After releasing his rebuttal to the accusations, Neil Gaiman has encountered renewed criticism regarding his statements. On Twitter, author Meg Vondriska commented, “Neil Gaiman’s response is incredibly problematic.

It’s incredibly disappointing when someone remains inactive, only denying allegations while portraying themselves as a learner, worker, and growth-seeker, yet refusing to acknowledge any wrongdoing. Such behavior is truly reprehensible.

Indeed, I have some thoughts to share about Neil Gaiman’s thought-provoking letter titled ‘Breaking the Silence’, which I’ve shared below. My reaction is extensive because I’m frustrated and concerned that people might take his words lightly and give him a mere warning.

Please don’t.

Firstly, take some time to read 2-3 other perspectives on the matter before forming your opinion.

This is important because it’s crucial to understand all sides of an issue before making a judgment. Gaiman’s words should not be dismissed lightly, but they also should not be taken at face value without considering other viewpoints.

— Jared Garrett || Writer of Heroic Tales (@jaredgarrett) January 14, 2025

Writer Ben Stephens commented, “In reaction to Neil Gaiman’s comment on the detailed report of his alleged abuse towards several women,” accompanied by an emoji depicting a raised middle finger.

Initially, locate three reliable resources (excluding Wikipedia) to educate yourself about the characteristics of narcissism. Later, grasp that this individual exhibits narcissistic traits, which have been apparent in him for a significant part of his existence, as stated by author Jared Garrett.

As a devoted admirer, I’d advise you to scrutinize the letter carefully. He employs precise terminology in an attempt to minimize the impact, while subtly hinting at past circumstances that shaped his perspective. However, he insists it was all consensual.

Garrett further expressed his viewpoint, stating, “Neil Gaiman ought to face the maximum legal penalties in every nation, region, and jurisdiction where he allegedly mistreated women. After serving his time, it would be ideal if he were largely erased from public memory.

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2025-01-15 15:56