Neil Gaiman shares WhatsApp messages in attempt to refute rape claims
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Author Neil Gaiman has continued to refute allegations of sexual assault, abuse, and rape, made against him at the beginning of the year. Now, Gaiman has called one accuser – former nanny Scarlett Pavlovich – a “fantasist”, in addition to producing WhatsApp messages, which he claims will reflect his innocence in this case.
In January, Pavlovich was one of eight women who made accusations against the author, which were published in an article by New York Magazine. Reportedly, Pavlovich had become friends with Gaiman’s former wife, Amanda Palmer, before being offered work as a nanny at the couple’s home. She alleges that, during her first meeting with the author, he pressured her into taking a bath before assaulting her.
Last month, the nanny sued the couple in a federal court, citing sexual assault and trafficking. Within the suit, Pavlovich alleges that the couple refused to pay her during “a three-week indenture” in order to keep the nanny “trapped, vulnerable, and penniless,” knowing that she was “broke and homeless” at the time.
Pavlovich also alleges, within the lawsuit, that Palmer was aware of Gaiman’s abuse and “knowingly approached and procured” the nanny with “reckless disregard for the fact that Gaiman would force Scarlett to engage in commercial sex acts.”
Gaiman, in a new court declaration, countered these claims. He admitted that the pair had bathed together and engaged in consensual sexual activity but refuted claims that the pair had engaged in intercourse. He also denied all allegations of rape and abuse.
“None of Pavlovich’s claims are true,” the author wrote. “She is a fantasist who has fabricated a tale of abuse against me and Ms. Palmer.” Alongside this statement, Gaiman shared a series of WhatsApp messages dating back to early 2022, when the abuse allegedly began.
In February 2022, Pavlovich allegedly wrote to Gaiman, “Thank you for a lovely lovely night – wow x.” Two days later, she messaged, “Let me know If you want me to run a bath… I am consumed by thoughts of you, the things you will do to me. I’m so hungry.” A few months after this exchange, Gaiman began to express concern, hearing that Pavlovich had accused him of rape.
In response, the nanny wrote, “Oh my God. Neil! I never said that,” continuing, “But I’m horrified by your message – MeToo you? Rape? WHAT? This is the first I have heard of this. Wow. I need a moment to digest your message… I have never used the word rape, I’m just so shocked, I honestly don’t know what to say.”
The author later wrote in a message to Pavlovich, “I thought that we were a good thing and a very consensual thing indeed,” to which she responded: “Yes we did, and it was consensual (and wonderful)!” Seemingly, she doubled down on this, later messaging, “This is beyond out of control and as I said I only have fondness and kindness for you. It was consensual – how many times do I have to fucking tell everyone.”
According to the filing, an investigation into allegations of abuse and rape was launched by authorities in New Zealand – where the alleged offences took place – in 2022 but was closed in April 2024 without charges. Gaiman claims that, since then, Pavlovich has been attempting to defame him and pressure the author into “an unjust financial settlement.”
Gaiman’s legal team have filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, filed in the US District Court of Wisconsin, stating that the allegations are false and that a US court has no authority over allegations made in New Zealand.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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