Neil Gaiman accused of sexual assault by several women | World News

Renowned British author Neil Gaiman, known for his influential works in fantasy, comics and screenwriting, faces serious allegations of sexual misconduct in 2024. Once celebrated for chefs- of work like The Sandman and Coraline, Gaiman’s legacy is now under scrutiny.
He now faces new allegations of sexual misconduct and assault. Eight women, including his son’s former nanny, gave disturbing testimonies, painting a poignant picture of the abuse committed by the 64-year-old writer.
Early life and influences
Born on November 10, 1960, in Portchester, Hampshire, England, Gaiman’s upbringing reflected his Polish and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. He attended Fonthill School, Ardingly College and Whitgift School, before going on to study journalism in the 1980s. Influenced by literary icons like Mary Shelley, Edgar Allan Poe and Roger Zelazny, Gaiman’s fascination with storytelling started very early.

Acclaimed career
Gaiman debuted in 1984 with a short story and rose to prominence through Good omens (co-written with Terry Pratchett) and The Sandman series. His work, which spans novels, comics and screenplays, has earned him awards such as the Hugo, Nebula and Newbery medals. Adaptations of his books, including Stardust and Coraline, have furthered his impact on popular culture.
Allegations of misconduct
In 2024, five women accused Gaiman of sexual assault and abuse, as reported by Tortoise Media and the New York Times. The allegations included touching, coercion and unwanted sexual advances. The writer Julia Hobsbawm publicly accused him of abusive behavior.

The allegations, reported by New York Magazine, include allegations of coercion, unwanted sexual advances and degrading treatment. One of the accusers, the nanny, described being sexually assaulted by Gaiman in a backyard bathtub in New Zealand in February 2022. She also alleged a separate assault in a hotel room while her son was nearby, claiming Gaiman asked him to call him “master” and praised him. her as a “good little girl”.
Gaiman has denied all allegations.
Accusers share similar stories
Most of the women who came forward were in their 20s at the time of the alleged incidents, including one who was just 18 years old. The reported timeline spans two decades, with Gaiman being in his forties or older at the time of the alleged misconduct. This is not the first time the author has been accused of such behavior; in 2024, five women shared similar stories in interviews published by Tortoise Media and the New York Times. The allegations included groping at public events, painful non-consensual encounters and requests for sexual favors.
Industry reaction and aftermath
The reaction of the literary world was noticeably muted, a fact that did not go unnoticed. JK Rowling, author of Harry Potter, has publicly criticized the silence of the writing community. “The literary public that had an enormous amount to say about Harvey Weinstein before his conviction has been strangely silent in its response to the multiple accusations against Neil Gaiman,” she wrote on X.
The accusations have already had professional consequences for Gaiman. Disney has reportedly suspended production on the film adaptation of The Graveyard Book and work on Good Omens season 3 has been delayed, with Gaiman stepping down from the project in October 2024.
Gaiman denies allegations
Gaiman has denied all accusations, maintaining his innocence. However, the proliferation of allegations and their strikingly similar details have led many to question the culture of silence that surrounds powerful figures in the literary world.
As the allegations against Gaiman continue to unfold, they remind us of the consequences various industries are facing in the wake of the crisis. #MeToo movement. For now, the literary world remains divided, wondering how to reconcile the allegations against one of its most famous figures.