Nick Carter has responded to sexual assault allegations from Dream band member Melissa Schuman, who—as the New York Daily News reports, accused him of performing non-consensual oral sex on her, forcing her to perform oral sex on him, and raping her.
"I am shocked and saddened by Ms. Schuman’s accusations. Melissa never expressed to me while we were together or at any time since that anything we did was not consensual," he said in a statement to People. "We went on to record a song and perform together, and I was always respectful and supportive of Melissa both personally and professionally. This is the first that I am hearing about these accusations, nearly two decades later. It is contrary to my nature and everything I hold dear to intentionally cause someone discomfort or harm."
In a lengthy blog post, Schuman wrote, "He threw me on the bed and climbed on top of me. Again, I told him that I was a virgin and I didn’t want to have sex. I told him that I was saving myself for my future husband. I said it over and over again."
Schuman said she told her manager what happened and wanted to press charges, but was informed that Carter's lawyers were too powerful, and that "it would ultimately hurt me professionally as well as publicly."
On choosing to speak out now, Schuman says, "I feel I have an obligation now to come forward with the hope and intention to inspire and encourage other victims to tell their story. We are stronger in numbers. If you are reading this and you have been assaulted, know you don’t have to be silent and you are not alone. I know it’s scary. I’m scared. I believe you. I stand with you and together I hope we can bring light to things that have been lost in the darkness for so long."
