“Obviously, my life and my art have long been magnets for controversy, but these recent claims about me are horrible distortions of reality,” hesaid in a statementposted onto his Instagram. “My intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners. Regardless of how — and why — others are now choosing to misrepresent the past, that is the truth.”
Manson’s statement came hours after at least five women —Ashley Walters,Sarah McNeilly,Ashley Lindsay Morgan, an artist who identified herself asGabriellaand Wood — detailed horrifying instances of sexual and emotional abuse they faced allegedly at the hands of the artist.
Marilyn Manson.Frazer Harrison/Getty
Their allegations include sexual misconduct, manipulation and some allege being held captive against their will and physical abuse.
“I am here to expose this dangerous man and call out the many industries that have enabled him, before he ruins any more lives. I stand with the many victims who will no longer be silent,” Wood said in her statement. (Wood and Manson starteddating in December 2006, broke up in 2008 beforegetting engagedin January 2010 and separating in August that year.)
“I was emotionally abused, terrorized and scarred. I was locked in rooms when I was ‘bad’, sometimes forced to listen to him entertaining other women,” wrote McNeilly in hers. “Kept away from certain friends or if I didn’t he would threaten to come after them.”
“The reason I’m finally sharing this traumatic experience is for my healing and because I’m done being silent,” Gabriella captioned her post. “I don’t believe it’s fair for someone to not be held accountable for their horrific actions. I’m not a victim. I’m a survivor.”
Meanwhile, McNeilly revealed she suffers from PTSD and mental health issues given the trauma she says she faced with Manson.
“I believe he gets off on ruining people’s lives,” she wrote. “I stand in support of all that have and all will come forward. I want to see Brian held accountable for his evil.”
Back in 2018, Wood gave emotional testimony in front of a House Judiciary Subcommittee to advicate for Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights Acts in all 50 states. While she did not name Manson, she allegedin part that the abuseshe endured included “threats against my life, severe gaslighting and brainwashing, waking up to the man that claimed to love me raping what he believed to be my unconscious body.”
Marilyn Manson.Danny E. Martindale/Getty
Hours after the women first came forward in accusing him of abuse, Manson’s record label Loma Vista Recordingsdropped him from their lineup.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com
