Rose McGowan says she is ‘proud’ of Marilyn Manson accusers: ‘It takes time to come forward’

Westworld star Evan Rachel Wood among women accusing Manson of abuse and assault

Rose McGowan has expressed her support for the women accusing Marilyn Manson of abuse and assault.

The actor, who was engaged to Manson for two years before they separated in 2001, shared a Twitter statement and a video announcing that she stood with his accusers.

Among the women accusing Manson of abuse is Westworld star Evan Rachel Wood, who began dating the musician when she was 19 and he was 38.

In a statement published on Monday 1 February, Wood alleged that she was groomed by Manson and that he abused her for “years”.

Several other women came forward to accuse Manson of similar offences. He denies the allegations.

Read more: Marilyn Manson calls abuse allegations ‘a distortion of reality’

On Twitter, McGowan wrote: “I stand with Evan Rachel Wood and other brave women who have come forward. It takes years to recover from abuse and I send them strength on their journey to recovery. Let the truth be revealed. Let the healing begin.”

In a video posted to her Instagram account, she added that she was “profoundly sad and disgusted” at the allegations, but “proud” of Wood and the others who accused Manson of abuse.

She said that Manson, 52, was “not like that” during their relationship but said that had “no bearing on whether he was like that with others before or after”.

“They steal time,” she said of abusers. “These are time eaters. They steal lives. They steal hopes, dreams, freedom, sexuality, love.”

McGowan also called out the “Hollywood cult leaders” who employed Manson: “You know you are accomplices. All the PR managers, agents, lawyers – the Hollywood cult must be stopped.”

In the wake of the allegations, Manson has been dropped by his record label, Loma Vista, while his US publicist told The Independent they would no longer be working with him.

Manson issued a statement from his Instagram account early on Tuesday 2 February, denying that he abused his former partners.

“Obviously, my art and my life have long been magnets for controversy, but these recent claims about me are horrible distortions of reality,” he said.

“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.”

Wood alleged that she was “brainwashed and manipulated into submission” by Manson.

“I am done living in fear of retaliation, slander, or blackmail,” she said. “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.”

California state senator Susan Rubio has written to acting attorney general Monty Wilkinson and FBI director Christopher Wray on 21 January, urging them to investigate the claims against Manson.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, you can call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on  0808 2000 247, or visit their website here.