The Girls star wrote about being attacked by the “campus’s resident conservative” — who she refers to as “Barry” in the text — while studying at Oberlin College.

But it has emerged that a man named Barry who matches the description in Dunham’s book — and is not her alleged rapist — is threatening legal action after being wrongly linked to the incident, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Writing on Buzzfeed today, Dunham said: “To be very clear, ‘Barry’ is a pseudonym, not the name of the man who assaulted me, and any resemblance to a person with this name is an unfortunate and surreal coincidence”.

“I am sorry about all he has experienced,” Dunham said.

Dunham also wrote on Buzzfeed about why she spoke out about her rape in Not That Kind of Girl and the reaction this has had.

“When I finally decided to share my story, it had ambiguities and gray areas, because that’s what I experienced, because that’s what so many of us have experienced,” Dunham said in her post on Buzzfeed.
“I have had my character and credibility questioned at every turn. I have been attacked online with violent and misogynistic language.”

Dunham also wrote, “I have been made to feel, on multiple occasions, as though I am to blame for what happened.”

Her Buzzfeed post came as Dunham’s publisher will change a part of her book Not That Kind of Girl, in whichthe writer and actor details being raped.

Tweaks ... Lena Dunham’s publisher is altering a section of her book Not That Kind of Girl where the actor details being raped at college. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

In Not That Kind of Girl, Dunham, 28, writes about being sexually attacked by a classmate referred to as “Barry”, who is described has having a moustache, wore cowboy boots and presented a radio show, The Hollywood Reporter said.

NEW GIRLS: Inside Lena Dunham’s book Not That Kind of Girl

NOT TRUE: Lena slams claims she molested her sister
The description to a real-life man was eerily similar, leading some to imply that the other Barry — who studied at the same university — was Dunham’s attacker, his lawyer Aaron Minc claims.

Controversial ... the front cover of Lena Dunham’s debut book. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

New season ... Lena Dunham’s book has come under more criticism as she prepares for the premiere of Girls’ fourth season in January. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Minc said that his client was “suffering” and a “grievous error” had occurred, the Daily Mail reported, and wants an apology from Dunham.
And they also want a disclaimer added to Not That Kind of Girl stating that “Barry” is not the attacker’s real name.

Not his real name ... Lena Dunham’s publisher will add a disclaimer to the part of her book. Picture: Getty Images Source: Supplied

“We’ve been trying to get their attention for months. It took the threat of litigation to make them take action,” Minc said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“The remedy to solve this issue is not necessarily legal in nature.

“A lot of the suffering Barry was going through and was about to go through could be cured by simple, remedial action from Miss Dunham and Random House.”

His client was “looking for an edit to be made to the book, and it’s my understanding that they are going to comply with that — to note that the name ‘Barry’ is a pseudonym,” Minc said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“They have given me an indication that that is happening imminently.”

Girl group ... Lena Dunham (second from left), with her Girls co-stars Jemima Kirke, Allison Williams and Zosia Mamet. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

His lawyer also suggested Dunham and her publisher, Random House, were offering to pay his client’s legal bills.

“I don’t know if that will be good enough for my client. Ideally, we were looking for something from Miss Dunham,” Minc said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Dunham has so far not commented on the reports.