Lena Dunham Slammed on Social Media for Defending 'Girls' Writer Accused of Rape

Lena Dunham faced heavy criticism on Twitter Friday night after she came to the defense of Girls writer Murray Miller, whom actress Aurora Perrineau alleged sexually assaulted her in 2012 when she was only 17

Lena Dunham faced heavy criticism on Twitter Friday night after she came to the defense of Girls writer Murray Miller, whom actress Aurora Perrineau alleged sexually assaulted her in 2012 when she was only 17.

The Girls creator and star had released a statement earlier in the evening alongside series co-creator Jenni Konner, in which they voiced their support for Miller and insinuated that Perrineau “misreported” the rape.

“While our first instinct is to listen to every woman’s story, our insider knowledge of Murray’s situation makes us confident that sadly this accusation is one of the 3% of assault cases that are misreported every year,” the pair said in the statement. “It is a true shame to add to that number, as outside of Hollywood women still struggle to be believed. We stand by Murray and this is all we’ll be saying about this issue.”

Lena Dunham. Emma McIntyre/Getty

Dunham continued on Twitter: “I believe in a lot of things but the first tenet of my politics is to hold up the people who have held me up, who have filled my world with love.”

Critics of Dunham lashed out at the Golden Globe winner and outspoken feminist, many calling back to a tweet of hers in August when she made the claim that women don’t lie about rape. “‘Believe women, unless they say something about a friend of mine, in which case they are liars,’ ” one user wrote.”

“Never call yourself an advocate for women again because you’ve just proven that you are NOT,” another critic said.

Reps for Dunham, Miller and Perrineau did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

RELATED VIDEO: Tony Nominee Andrew Rannells Opens Up About Lena Dunham’s Harsh Critics: ‘It Seems So Unjustified’

Perrineau, daughter of Lost star Harold Perrineau, filed a complaint Friday about the alleged attack with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, according to The Wrap, which first reported the news. The 23-year-old claimed that she was 17 when she met Miller at L.A.’s Standard Hotel with friends. Admitting she “consumed some alcoholic beverages,” she alleged Miller, then 35, asked them for a ride home, where they all went inside, reluctantly on her part, after arriving.

In her statement for a polygraph test taken in September, she claimed she awoke naked in his bed where he was “having sexual intercourse with me,” against her consent.

Miller’s attorney, Matthew Walerstein, told The Wrap he “categorically and vehemently denies Ms. Perrineau’s outrageous claims,” adding that his legal team had “gathered overwhelming evidence directly contradicting these false and offensive claims.”