As detailed in a shocking exposé published by New York magazine this week, eight women have accused bestselling author Neil Gaiman of sexual assault.
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| Neil Gaiman (photo: Beowulf Sheehan) |
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The article describes a pattern of predatory behavior going back decades, typically involving young women in their 20s who were fans of the author, and expands on allegations first made last summer in Master, a podcast series produced by Tortoise Media.
In a statement posted to his website Tuesday, Gaiman denied the allegations, saying that he thought these relationships were consensual and that he has "never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone."
The New York Times noted that although a number of upcoming TV and film projects related to Gaiman were canceled after the original allegations were made, "the responses from his publishers, agents, and professional collaborators have been far more subdued."
Katherine Kendall, one of the women who went on the record with New York, told the Times there was a "culture of secrecy" around Gaiman's behavior, and that "Neil's works were his bait, and promotional events were his hunting ground. As long as his publishers and professional collaborators remain silent, Neil will continue to have unrestricted access to vulnerable women."
Kendra Stout, whose account is also featured in the New York article, is quoted in the Times as saying: "The silence of the community around him--his fandom, his publishers--is loud and disturbing. I've heard that it was an open secret that he was a predator, but that whisper network did not reach me."
Following Gaiman's post on Tuesday, Stout shared a statement on behalf of several of the women who have come forward that said, per the Times: "we are disappointed to see the same non-apology that women in this situation have seen so many times before."