Following sexual assault allegations made by Ruby Rose against Katy Perry—which have been strongly denied by the singer’s team—authorities in Australia have confirmed an investigation is now underway.
In a statement to Variety on Wednesday (April 15), a Victoria Police spokesperson didn’t mention either party by name but confirmed detectives are looking into an alleged incident said to have taken place in Melbourne around 2010.
“Melbourne sexual offenses and child abuse investigation team (SOCIT) detectives are investigating [an alleged] historical sexual assault that occurred in Melbourne in 2010,” the rep said. “Police have been told the incident occurred at a licensed premises in Melbourne’s CBD. As the investigation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
TMZ was the first to break the news of the investigation.
“Katy Perry sexual assaulted me at Spice Market nightclub in Melbourne,” the Orange Is the New Black and Batwoman actress wrote. “Who gives a shit what she thinks.”
Rose, 40, later expanded on her claim, saying she was in her “early 20s” at the time and noting that she had since spoken to police after going public.
“She saw me ‘resting’ on my best friends lap to avoid her and bent down, pulled her underwear to the side and rubbed her disgusting vagina on my face until my eyes snapped open and I projectile vomited on her,” she alleged in a follow-up post.
Through a spokesperson, Perry denied the claims, describing them as both false and harmful.
“The allegations being circulated on social media by Ruby Rose about Katy Perry are not only categorically false, they are dangerous reckless lies,” a rep for the 143 artist said earlier this week. “Ms. Rose has a well-documented history of making serious public allegations on social media against various individuals, claims that have repeatedly been denied by those named.”
In a more recent update on Threads, Rose shared that she would no longer be speaking publicly about the situation.
“As of this afternoon, I have finalized all of my reports,” she wrote on Tuesday (April 14). “This means I am no longer able to comment, repost, or talk publicly about any of those cases, or the individuals involved. It’s going to look like I am ignoring everything from supportive messages, to other people’s experiences, but I’m not.”
She continued: “This is a standard request from the police and in many ways, quite the relief. I can start the healing process now. And temporarily move forward. I love you all so much.”
