Australian actor Ruby Rose accused pop star Katy Perry of sexually assaulting her a decade and a half ago in Melbourne, and provincial police confirmed Wednesday they’re investigating a “historical sexual assault.”
Asked about Rose’s claims, Victoria police Sgt. Julie-Anne Newman told NBC News she was unable to discuss specifics about the matter because of “privacy protocol,” but police confirmed a probe had been launched.
“Melbourne Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) detectives are investigating a historical sexual assault that occurred in Melbourne in 2010,” police said in a statement.
“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,” the statement said.
In the Australian state of Victoria, there is no statute of limitations on reporting a sexual offense.
Rose, 40, is best known for her work on “Orange Is the New Black” on Netflix, “Batwoman” on The CW and the movie “John Wick: Chapter 2.”
A representative for Perry, 41, declined to comment about the investigation Wednesday. Her team denied the allegations in a statement this week.
“The allegations being circulated on social media by Ruby Rose about Katy Perry are not only categorically false, they are dangerous reckless lies,” the statement read. “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.”
Rose has previously made allegations that she was mistreated on the set of “Batwoman,” which Warner Bros. Television has denied.
In a series of since-deleted posts on Threads, Rose said Sunday night, “Katy Perry sexual assaulted me at spice market nightclub in Melbourne.”
“I was only in my early 20s.I’m now 40. It has taken almost 2 decades to say this publicly,” she wrote in another deleted post. “Though I am so grateful to have made it long enough to find my voice, it just shows how much of an impact trauma and sexual assault takes. Thank you for seeing me.”
Rose posted Monday that she would contact police about the matter, then followed up Tuesday to say she had “finalized all my reports” and could no longer publicly speak about the case.
