Neil Gaiman has unearthed a cache of WhatsApp exchanges from Scarlett Pavlovich, the woman who levied sexual assault charges against him. These messages, according to Gaiman, bolster his contention that Pavlovich is a "fabricator of fantastical tales." Last month, the best-selling author and his estranged spouse, musician Amanda Palmer, found themselves entangled in a federal lawsuit initiated by their former babysitter, who accused them of sexual assault and human trafficking.
In a dismissal motion filed today and accessed by The Independent, Gaiman disclosed that while he did engage in "sexual activity" with Pavlovich, commencing in February 2022, their interactions never crossed the line into intercourse and were entirely consensual. He further asserts, "Not a single claim made by Pavlovich holds any truth. She is a dreamer who has conjured up a narrative of abuse aimed at me and Ms. Palmer."
To substantiate his motion for dismissal, Gaiman presented numerous pages of WhatsApp conversations. In one message, shortly after their inaugural intimate encounter, Pavlovich gushed, "Thank you for a delightful, magical night – wow x." Gaiman reciprocated warmly, "It was indeed magical. Thank you once again."
A couple of days hence, Pavlovich sent Gaiman a text, saying, "Let me know if you'd like me to run a bath. I am utterly consumed by thoughts of you, the anticipated pleasures you'll bestow upon me. I'm so ravenous. You've transformed me into such a wanton creature. I hope, perhaps tomorrow or some other time soon..."
Hours later, she added, her tone teeming with urgency, "What have you done to me? Just a couple of hours have passed, and I've already behaved so bawdily. I believe you owe me a good, hard spanking very soon. I'm desperate for my master. How naughty of me to even send you such texts. Extra punishment is in order. Goodnight." Gaiman responded gently, "Goodnight, dear."
Much of their textual dialogue centered around Pavlovich's duties as a babysitter for Gaiman and Palmer's child. A little over a month into their textual exchanges, Gaiman reached out to Pavlovich, writing, "Amanda informs me that you're going through a tough patch and are upset with me over what transpired between us. I feel terrible about it. Would you like to discuss it? Is there anything I can do to alleviate your distress?"
She promised to speak with him soon and, a couple of weeks thereafter, inquired about his wellbeing. Gaiman's response was heart-wrenching, "Honestly, when Amanda told me you were spreading rumors that I raped you and were planning to Me Too me, I felt suicidal. But I'm taking it one day at a time, and it's been two weeks; I'm still here, fragile but alive."
Pavlovich was astonished, replying, "Oh my God, Neil! I never said that. I've been deeply distressed about the whole ordeal because it has reignited painful memories from my past, among other reasons. I feel like I'm in a whirlwind. But your message horrifies me – me too you? Rape? WHAT? This is the first I'm hearing of this. I need a moment to process your message."
A few minutes later, she added, "Okay, it seems like things have been blown way out of proportion. My heart is racing; I'm so sorry you've been going through such a tough time. I had no idea. I've never used the word 'rape.' I'm just so shocked; I honestly don't know what to say."
The dismissal motion argues not only that the allegations are baseless but also that a US court lacks jurisdiction over claims stemming from incidents that occurred in New Zealand. Gaiman has steadfastly denied any involvement in "non-consensual sexual activity" following assault accusations levied by multiple women.
