British author Neil Gaiman has been accused of sexual assault by two separate women.

As detailed in an extensive investigation conducted by Tortoise Media, the alleged incidents took place nearly 20 years apart from each other and involve two women who had been in consensual relationships with the author. The first woman to come forward, identified as a 23-year-old named Scarlett, was a nanny to Gaiman’s child at his New Zealand home when the incident took place in 2022.

Scarlett claims Gaiman assaulted her in a bathtub within hours of their initial meeting at his residence. They carried out a three-week relationship, which both maintain was consensual. However, Scarlett alleges that Gaiman engaged in “rough and degrading penetrative sexual acts” with her, some of which were non-consensual. Tortoise reports that her allegations were corroborated by “contemporaneous messages, notes, and … friends who talked to Scarlett at the time.”

The second incident happened years prior, assumedly in the mid-2000s. The victim, identified as K, was 18 years old when she met Neil Gaiman at a book signing in Florida in 2003 — they began a consensual relationship when K turned 20 and Gaiman was in his mid-40s. K alleges that throughout their relationship, Gaiman engaged in rough and painful penetrative sex that she “neither wanted nor enjoyed.” Tortoise reports that, at one point, K was suffering from a painful infection and refused sex with Gaiman, but he ignored her and continued to penetrate her.

Neil Gaiman denies the allegations of non-consensual sex with the two women. The incident with Scarlett was first reported to the New Zealand police, who have in turn opened an investigation into Gaiman. The author claims that he offered to assist the New Zealand police with Scarlett’s complaint, but they refused, stating that their investigative efforts are ongoing.

Regarding Scarlett’s complaint, Gaiman told Tortoise that the bathtub incident involved only cuddling and making out, and that their relationship only culminated in “consensual digital penetration.” He also claimed that Scarlett’s allegations were a result of a medical condition associated with “false memories,” which Tortoise says is not supported by her medical records and history. Regarding K’s allegations, Gaiman alleged they’re motivated by “her regret over the relationship” and denies any unlawful behavior with her.

Gaiman, 63, is a best-selling author known for novels, comic books, and film and television projects such as The Sandman, Good Omens, Coraline, Stardust, and more. He most recently executive produced the Netflix Sandman spinoff Dead Boy Detectives.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual misconduct, you can reach out for support:

RAINN Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Crisis Text Line
SMS: Text “HERE” to 741-741
http://www.facebook.com/crisistextline (chat support)