Actor Evan Rachel Wood has publicly accused rock singer Marilyn Manson of abusing her while they dated in the mid-to-late 2000s.
In an Instagram post she shared on Monday, Wood alleged that Manson – whose real name is Brian Warner – began “grooming” her when she was a teenager and “horrifically abused” her for several years.
“I was brainwashed and manipulated into submission,” she wrote. “I am done living in fear of retaliation, slander, or blackmail. I am here to expose this dangerous man and call out the many industries that have enabled him, before he ruins any more lives.”
The two were often the subject of Hollywood gossip during their on-and-off relationship between 2006 and 2011 because of their 18-year age difference. Wood was 18 years old when she met Manson, and he was 36.
At least four other women ― identified on social media as Ashley Walters, Sarah McNeilly, Ashley Lindsay Morgan and Gabriella ― posted abuse allegations against Manson on Monday.
A representative for Manson did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
In 2018, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office declined to investigate a police report alleging that Manson was involved in unspecified sex crimes dating back to 2011, citing the statute of limitations and lack of corroboration. At the time, Manson “categorically denied” the allegations, according to his legal team.
Earlier that year, Wood testified before Congress on her experiences with domestic violence and sexual assault as part of an effort to get the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights passed in all 50 states.
“My self-esteem and spirit were broken,” she said. “I was deeply terrified and that fear lives with me to this day. What makes me more hurt and more angry than the actual rape and abuse itself, was that piece of me that was stolen, which altered the course of my life.”
Wood said the abuse caused her to develop post-traumatic stress disorder, which included depression, night terrors and agoraphobia.
She did not name her attacker during her testimony.
If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. If you are not in immediate danger, you can contact:
- The Freephone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline, run by Refuge: 0808 2000 247
- In Scotland, contact Scotland’s 24 hour Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline: 0800 027 1234
- In Northern Ireland, contact the 24 hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline: 0808 802 1414
- In Wales, contact the 24 hour Life Fear Free Helpline on 0808 80 10 800.
- National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428
- Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
- Respect helpline (for anyone worried about their own behaviour): 0808 802 0321