Marilyn Manson, real name Brian Werner, is now being sued for allegedly grooming and sexually assaulting a woman multiple times throughout the 1990s.
According to a report by Rolling Stone, Manson and his former labels Interscope and Nothing Records have been listed as defendants in a lawsuit filed by a woman anonymously known as Jane Doe. The case was filed in Nassau County Supreme Court on Long Island, NY and alleges "counts of sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress" against Manson, as well as negligence against Interscope and Nothing Records.
Doe alleges in the lawsuit that she initially met Manson in 1995 after a show in Dallas, TX when she was 16 years. Doe then alleges that Manson took her home address and phone number alongside "other younger girls" before having sex with her.
"While on the tour bus, Defendant Warner performed various acts of criminal sexual conduct upon Plaintiff, who was a virgin at the time, including but not limited to forced copulation and vaginal penetration. One of the band members watched Defendant Warner sexually assault Plaintiff. Plaintiff was in pain, scared, upset, humiliated and confused. After he was done, Defendant Warner laughed at her.
"Then Defendant Warner demanded Plaintiff to 'get the fuck off of my bus' and threatened Plaintiff that, if she told anyone, he would kill her and her family."
Doe claims she was given a 1-800 number to contact the band to meet them again, was asked to share explicit photos, and began abusing drugs and alcohol shortly after. Doe then claims she met with Warner again with New Orleans where she was "groomed."
"Defendant Warner then became more aggressive and again sexually assaulted Plaintiff, including kissing, biting her breast, oral copulation, and penetration. After the second assault, Defendant Warner acted in a kinder manner nicer to Plaintiff and told her that he wanted to see her again." Doe further claims she was coerced into meeting with Manson numerous times between the initial show and into 1999, where she was convinced to stay with the band on the road for four weeks after a New Orleans show.
Doe claims Manson continued to exert control over her as she stayed with the band. "While she was still a child, Defendant Warner had purposefully and intentionally laid the groundwork necessary to intimidate and control her. Despite reaching the legal age of majority, that power to psychologically intimidate and control Plaintiff was still present," reads the lawsuit.
"While in Florida, Plaintiff considered going back home. Plaintiff spoke with Defendant Warner and revealed her vulnerabilities and a general lack of support she felt from her family. As he did on countless occasions, Defendant Warner exploited this vulnerability to keep Plaintiff under his control. Defendant Warner often made Plaintiff feel alone and isolated by telling her that no one understands her other than him, which included her family. At the time, Plaintiff believed Defendant Warner and was compelled to keep following him."
A full report is available here. Doe's attorney Jeff Anderson said in an interview with Rolling Stone that the suit is a major step forward in "bringing light and heat" to abuse within the industry.
“This suit by this survivor is a giant step in bringing light and heat to an industry that has been hiding perils in plain sight. It’s time to face the music. New laws give survivors the time to take real action for justice and protection. Powerful new laws in New York and California give adult survivors the chance to take legal action against predators and those that protect and profit from them.
“We are grateful to the survivors and so many others who now align with us to expose the predators and those in the music industry that have … permitted, promoted, and profiteered from his violence against the vulnerable."
