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Evan Rachel Wood’s fight against sexual abuse

Published : Monday, 7 September, 2026 at 5:17 PM

Observer Online Report

Collected Photo

Ewan Rachel Wood’s career has been defined by acclaimed performances in challenging roles, but it was her decision to publicly speak about alleged sexual abuse that brought another dimension to her public life. Her allegations against musician Brian Warner, known professionally as Marilyn Manson, and her subsequent legal and advocacy efforts have made her a prominent voice in discussions about abuse, accountability and survivors’ rights.

Born on September 7, 1987, in Raleigh, North Carolina, Wood began acting as a child and gained recognition after appearing in the 1998 film 'Practical Magic'. She rose to wider prominence with 'Thirteen', in which she played a rebellious teenager at the age of 15. Her performances in films including 'The Wrestler' and 'Across the Universe' further established her as a versatile actor.

Her international breakthrough came with HBO’s 'Westworld', where she played Dolores Abernathy. The complex character’s struggle for independence and control earned Wood critical acclaim and nominations for major awards, including the Golden Globes and Emmys.

But alongside her acting career, Wood became increasingly vocal about her experiences with abuse. In 2016, she publicly said that she had been raped twice, without identifying the alleged perpetrators at the time.

In February 2021, Wood identified Brian Warner, better known as Marilyn Manson, as the person at the centre of her allegations. She said she had entered into a relationship with Manson as a teenager and alleged that she experienced physical, sexual and psychological abuse during the relationship.

Following Wood’s allegations, several other women also accused Manson of abuse, triggering wider debate about power and accountability in the entertainment and music industries. Wood was praised by many for speaking publicly, while her decision also encouraged other alleged survivors to come forward with their own experiences.

Manson has denied Wood’s allegations, saying their relationship was consensual and that it was later portrayed as abusive. In 2022, he filed a defamation lawsuit against Wood, alleging that she and others had deliberately sought to damage his reputation.

After a lengthy legal process, Manson withdrew the lawsuit in November 2024 and agreed to cover Wood’s legal expenses. Separately, a criminal investigation into allegations against him was also underway.

In January 2025, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that Manson would not face criminal charges over allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence. Prosecutors cited insufficient evidence and the expiration of the statute of limitations for some of the allegations.

Wood later documented her experiences in the 2022 documentary 'Phoenix Rising', directed by Amy Berg. The film explored different stages of her life, her allegations against Manson and her efforts to move forward from those experiences.

Her advocacy also extended beyond her personal story. Wood supported California’s Phoenix Act, legislation aimed at extending the period available for survivors of domestic violence to pursue legal action. She has argued that survivors may not be able to seek legal remedies immediately after abuse because of trauma, fear, social pressure or unequal power relationships.

Through her acting, public testimony and advocacy, Wood’s personal experience has developed into a broader campaign around survivors’ rights and accountability, turning a deeply personal chapter of her life into an issue of wider public discussion.

-HIS