Sandman, Good Omens author Neil Gaiman denies new sexual assault allegations

British bestselling author Neil Gaiman recently denied multiple sexual assault allegations made against him by several women, stating that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual acts. These allegations stem from public statements by multiple women accusing Gaiman of sexually assaulting them.

Gaiman, 64, is the author of "The Sandman" comic series and the novel "American Gods." He released a statement on his blog on Wednesday after a detailed article outlining the allegations was published in New York Magazine this week. The article alleged that Gaiman sexually assaulted, abused, and coerced eight women. The accusations from four of these women were initially aired on a Tortoise Media podcast in July.

Gaiman stated that he has been following the stories about him circulating online for months with "horror and dismay." In his statement, he wrote: "As I read these latest descriptions, there are moments that I vaguely remember, moments I don’t remember at all, and some things that are described very differently from how they happened. I am far from perfect, but I have never had non-consensual sex with anyone, ever." He also stated that he reviewed his messages with the accusers, which to him still seemed like "two people enjoying entirely consensual sex and wanting to see each other again."

Most of the allegations occurred while Gaiman was in his 40s or older, living in the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. One accuser, Scarlett Pavlovich, told New York Magazine that she met Gaiman through his then-wife, American performance artist Amanda Palmer. At the time, the family of three was living on an island in New Zealand in 2022. Pavlovich claims she was a nanny for the couple and alleges that Gaiman began abusing her multiple times on the night they met. She also claims that Gaiman beat her with a belt and then anally raped her.

Gaiman admitted that he was "clearly not caring enough about people’s hearts" and that he feels "deeply" remorseful about it. He added, "Looking back at things years later, I realize I could and should have been better. I was emotionally unavailable but sexually available, self-centered and not as considerate as I could or should have been." Some of Pavlovich’s allegations were made public on a podcast six months prior. She told the magazine that she filed a police report in January 2023 accusing Gaiman of sexual assault.

New Zealand police declined to say this week whether Gaiman is or has been under investigation. "Generally, police are unable to respond to queries that seek to determine whether a specific individual is or has been under police investigation. In addition, any person who makes a complaint to police is entitled to privacy," New Zealand police said in an email to the Associated Press on Tuesday. Messages sent by the AP to Gaiman’s agent, his office, and Bloomsbury, the publisher of his most recent books, were not returned. Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, both of which have Gaiman-related projects planned for release this year, also did not respond to messages from the AP.

Several of Gaiman's works have been adapted into films and television series, including the 2009 film "Coraline."