The “Thirteen Reasons Why” Author Says He’s Being Harassed After Having “Affairs With Consenting Adults”

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators say they cut ties with author Jay Asher after an investigation of sexual harassment. He says he’s the one who’s being harassed.

Following allegations of sexual harassment that caused a children’s book group to say they cut ties with him, author Jay Asher admitted to BuzzFeed News on Tuesday that he’s had affairs with consenting adults, but he said he’s subsequently been harassed in connection with these affairs.

Following allegations of sexual harassment that caused a children's book group to say they cut ties with him, author Jay Asher admitted to BuzzFeed News on Tuesday that he's had affairs with consenting adults, but he said he's subsequently been harassed in connection with these affairs.

Netflix

“After we investigated, we felt that terminating his membership was the proper course of action,” Oliver told BuzzFeed News on Monday. “We have always been really sensitive to sexual harassment issues and have a zero tolerance policy, but clearly our policies haven’t prevented violations, so we’re taking this opportunity to take another look at our guidelines.”

“I did have affairs with consenting adults, which ended years ago,” Asher told BuzzFeed News in a statement on Tuesday. “I am ashamed of myself and the pain our actions caused our families.”

"I did have affairs with consenting adults, which ended years ago," Asher told BuzzFeed News in a statement on Tuesday. "I am ashamed of myself and the pain our actions caused our families."

Asher and his wife, Joan Marie, at the Netflix premiere of 13 Reasons Why in March 2017.

Steve Cohn / Invision for Netflix

“During the past decade of harassment related to these affairs, I have never once retaliated,” he continued. “I will continue to leave my accusers to their anonymity in order to save them and their families from further hurt.”

"During the past decade of harassment related to these affairs, I have never once retaliated," he continued. "I will continue to leave my accusers to their anonymity in order to save them and their families from further hurt."

Beth Dubber / Beth Dubber/Netflix

Asher did not name the people he says are harassing him. The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators has also not revealed who made the complaint against Asher.

A spokesperson for Netflix told BuzzFeed News, “Jay Asher was not involved in the second season of 13 Reasons Why. The upcoming season will not be impacted in any way.”

A spokesperson for Netflix told BuzzFeed News, "Jay Asher was not involved in the second season of 13 Reasons Why. The upcoming season will not be impacted in any way."

instagram.com

Multiple social media posts from Asher show he was on the set of Season 2. A source told BuzzFeed News Asher visited the set, but didn’t play a creative role.

Multiple social media posts from Asher show he was on the set of Season 2. A source told BuzzFeed News Asher visited the set, but didn't play a creative role.

Twitter: @jayasherguy

Netflix did not respond to a question about whether they received any complaints about Asher on set. The second season of the series, which is produced by Selena Gomez, is due out sometime in 2018.

Netflix did not respond to a question about whether they received any complaints about Asher on set. The second season of the series, which is produced by Selena Gomez, is due out sometime in 2018.

Eric Charbonneau / Invision for Netflix

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