St Andrews University said in a statement that it was “providing support and counselling” to Gaiman’s accuser, the Courier reported.
It came after reports in the Vulture section of the New York magazine that said an English literature student at the ancient Scottish university had accused Gaiman of sexual assault.
The outlet reported: “As it happens, the university had awarded Gaiman an honorary degree in 2016.
“In December, [the accuser] approached the head of the university, Dame Sally Mapstone, to share her experience and ask the university to review the decision to honor Gaiman.
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“Mapstone was sympathetic but indecisive; some on the board, she told [the accuser], would likely want evidence of prosecution to rescind his degree.”
Gaiman, the creator of hit shows such as Good Omens and movies like Stardust – has denied allegations of sexual misconduct, saying he has “never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever”.
Allegations have been made by seven further women against the 64-year-old, which include claims he sexually assaulted a woman in a bath.
In the New York Magazine report, one of the women claimed she had been babysitting Gaiman’s five-year-old child, when she alleged the author offered her a bath in his garden before then joining her naked, and asking her to sit on his lap. She claimed he then sexually assaulted her.
The article claims all of the accusers had been willing to engage with Gaiman’s requests to some extent by calling him “master”, but the women allege that consent and specific BDSM activities, which they say took place, had not been discussed and agreed on before they happened.
Gaiman’s representatives had previously told Tortoise Media that “sexual degradation, bondage, domination, sadism and masochism may not be to everyone’s taste, but between consenting adults, BDSM is lawful”.
A police report accusing Gaiman of sexual assault was made in January 2023, but the investigation was eventually dropped.
Gaiman is known for books such as Coraline, American Gods and The Sandman, all of which have been adapted for the cinema or television.
Since the allegations first surfaced, several film and TV adaptations of Gaiman’s stories have reportedly been affected, including season three of Good Omens – which he jointly wrote with Terry Pratchett – and a film of The Graveyard Book.
A spokesperson for the University of St Andrews told The Courier: “We applaud the courage of all survivors of sexual abuse, and especially those who have felt able to speak out about it.
“Our priority is the welfare of our student, to whom we are providing support and counselling.
“We will continue to monitor this case with concern and close interest.”