Actress and Activist Evan Rachel Wood released a statement Monday morning on her Instagram account that Marilyn Manson abused her during their relationship.
“The name of my abuser is Brian Warner, also known to the world as Marilyn Manson. He started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years. I was brainwashed and manipulated into submission. 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. I stand with the many victims who will no longer be silent.”
Along with her own post, shared to her Instagram feed, Woods re-posted several others’ accounts of Manson’s alleged behavior to her Instagram Story, including photographer Ashley Walters, model Sarah McNeilly, an artist, who identified herself only as Gabriella, and more.
Wood spoke about suffering abuse with Rolling Stone in 2016 but did not mention specific names. “I’ve been raped. By a significant other while we were together. And on a separate occasion, by the owner of a bar,” she said the day after the 2016 presidential election. “I don’t believe we live in a time where people can stay silent any longer. Not given the state our world is in with its blatant bigotry and sexism.”
Wood created the Phoenix Act — which was signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019 — to extend the statute of limitations on domestic violence from three years to five. It took effect in January 2020. While testifying before the California Senate, Wood spoke about violence suffered at the hands of a former partner. She did not name her alleged abuser, but she did tell the Senate: “I mustered the courage to leave several times, but he would call my house incessantly and threaten to kill himself. On one occasion, I returned to try and defuse the situation, he cornered me in our bedroom, and asked me to kneel. Then he tied me up by my hands and feet. Once I was restrained he beat me and shocked sensitive parts of my body with a torture device called a violet wand. To him it was a way for me to prove my loyalty. The pain was excruciating. It felt like I left my body and a part of me died that day.”
