JK Rowling reveals she is 'domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor' as she speaks out in wake of trans row

JK Rowling has said she was partly motivated to speak out about transgender issues because of her experience of domestic abuse and sexual assault – as she responded to criticism surrounding her comments in a lengthy blog post on her official website.

In the post, the Harry Potter author, 54, detailed five reasons she felt the need to talk about the issue - including her interest in "both education and safeguarding" and "freedom of speech".

Explaining her final reason, she wrote: "I've been in the public eye now for over 20 years and have never talked publicly about being a domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor.

"This isn't because I'm ashamed those things happened to me, but because they're traumatic to revisit and remember.

JK Rowling has addressed the backlash she has received over recent remarks.

"I also feel protective of my daughter from my first marriage. I didn't want to claim sole ownership of a story that belongs to her, too.

"However, a short while ago, I asked her how she'd feel if I were publicly honest about that part of my life and she encouraged me to go ahead.

"I'm mentioning these things now not in an attempt to garner sympathy, but out of solidarity with the huge numbers of women who have histories like mine, who've been slurred as bigots for having concerns around single-sex spaces."

Daniel Radcliffe, the star of the Harry Potter film series, and Eddie Redmayne, who leads the cast of Fantastic Beasts, have both criticised Rowling for her comments about transgender issues.

Last weekend, Rowling took issue with a headline on an online article discussing "people who menstruate", and said: "I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"

And in December last year she voiced her support for a researcher who was sacked after tweeting that transgender people cannot change their biological sex.

Critics accused her of being transphobic, an allegation Rowling strongly denies.

Meanwhile, Eddie Redmayne has joined Radcliffe in opposing Rowling's trans tweets.

The actor, who currently plays Newt Scamander in Rowling's Fantastic Beasts franchise, responded to Rowling’s controversial tweets in a statement outlining his disagreements with her views.

“As someone who has worked with both JK Rowling and members of the trans community, I wanted to make it absolutely clear where I stand,” wrote Redmayne, who previously played a Danish transgender woman in The Danish Girl, for which he earned an Oscar nomination.

“I disagree with Jo’s comments. Trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid.”

The actor continued: “I would never want to speak on behalf of the community but I do know that my dear transgender friends and colleagues are tired of this constant questioning of their identities, which all too often results in violence and abuse.

“They simply want to live their lives peacefully, and it’s time to let them do so.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director