Culture Society, Identity and Belonging
The writer says WhatsApp messages show his relationship with a former nanny was consensual
Bestselling author Neil Gaiman says none of the sexual assault allegations made by Scarlett Pavlovich against him are true.
In a Tuesday court filing Gaiman described Pavlovich as a “fantasist who has fabricated a tale of abuse against me and Ms. Palmer”. (Amanda Palmer is Gaiman’s estranged wife.)
Earlier this year Pavlovich filed a $7 million lawsuit accusing Gaiman of assault, battery and inflicting emotional distress and Palmer of negligence. The complaint also alleges the couple violated human trafficking laws.
Palmer has denied all Pavlovich’s allegations, and Gaiman is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed.
He argued that a series of WhatsApp messages between him and Pavlovich demonstrate their relationship was consensual, and that “Pavlovich was an enthusiastic participant” who initiated many of their sexual encounters.
In one of the messages, which Tortoise has seen, Pavlovich wrote: “Thank you for a lovely lovely night – wow x.”
Gaiman said he believes that outside influencers pushed a false narrative of sexual assault against Pavlovich’s wishes.
The allegations of sexual assault against Gaiman – which he strongly denies – first surfaced in a podcast series published by Tortoise last July. In his filing Gaiman said Pavlovich had engaged in a media campaign to pressure him into reaching an unjust financial settlement.
