• Neil Gaiman argues a lawsuit accusing him of rape should be held in New Zealand.
• Scarlett Pavlovich alleges Gaiman raped her in 2022 while she worked for him and Amanda Palmer.
• Gaiman denies the claims, stating their relationship was consensual and that New Zealand police closed the investigation.

By RNZ

Warning: This story discusses allegations of sexual assault.

British author Neil Gaiman claims a lawsuit that accuses him of rape and sexual assault should be held in New Zealand, not the US.

Gaiman denies the claims, but in the motion to dismiss, filed to a US district court in Wisconsin this week, argued that as the alleged abuses occurred in New Zealand, the US has no jurisdiction over the allegations.

“New Zealand is the proper forum to adjudicate this case,” the motion argues.

The case relates to allegations from New Zealander Scarlett Pavlovich that Gaiman repeatedly raped her while she worked for him and singer Amanda Palmer in 2022, causing physical, mental and emotional harm.

Pavlovich sued Gaiman, author of The Sandman comic book series and the novel American Gods, while Palmer was accused of knowing that Pavlovich was vulnerable, and failing to warn that Gaiman had a history of predatory behaviour, according to court papers.

The lawsuits seek unspecified damages that are “reasonably believed” to exceed US$1 million ($1.7m) on multiple claims, Reuters reported.

In a declaration supporting the motion to dismiss Gaiman said he was a New Zealand permanent resident, and “lived in various places in New Zealand, including on Waiheke Island from December 2020 through February 2022, and again from December 2022 to February 2023”.

While he and Pavlovich did engage in “sexual activity”, they never had sexual intercourse and it was always consensual, Gaiman said in the declaration, calling the claims a “sham”.

“None of Pavlovich’s claims are true,” Gaiman said.

“Although false, the alleged conduct claimed and described in the Complaint, all supposedly occurred in New Zealand,” he said.

“No matter what Plaintiff says happened, it all happened in New Zealand between a New Zealand citizen and a New Zealand permanent resident. There is no legal authority to adjudicate her lawsuit in federal court in Wisconsin, or in other federal courts around the United States,” the document states.

Gaiman indicated that WhatsApp messages provided to the court “demonstrate, in Pavlovich’s own words” that their relationship was consensual.

Performer Amanda Palmer and Author Neil Gaiman in 2013. Photo / Getty Images

The exhibit showed one message from February 2022 – the same month as their first sexual encounter – in which Pavlovich allegedly wrote “Thank you for a lovely lovely night – wow x”.

In the declaration Gaiman also claimed New Zealand police had already closed their investigation into the allegations in early 2024.

“In or around November 2022, Pavlovich reported her allegations to law enforcement authorities in New Zealand. Those allegations were thoroughly investigated by New Zealand police, and no charges were brought,” he said.

Pavlovich earlier this year painted a very different picture of the events in a January 13 interview with Vulture, a US entertainment news page for the New York Magazine.

At the time, she was 22 and Gaiman was 61.

Following the publication of the allegations, Gaiman wrote that he had “never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever”.

On social media, Palmer has said “as there are ongoing custody and divorce proceedings, I am not able to offer public comment”.

SEXUAL HARM

Where to get help:
If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:
• Call 0800 044 334
• Text 4334
• Email [email protected]
• For more info or to web chat visit safetotalk.nz
Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list.
If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.