Scarlett Pavlovich, a 22-year-old drama student, encountered Amanda Palmer, the renowned musician and author, in June 2020 while walking the streets of Auckland. Pavlovich admired Palmer for her outspoken feminist stance and creativity, which led to a budding relationship. Over the next year and a half, they occasionally met for drinks and outings, with Palmer introducing Pavlovich to various artistic communities.
In February 2022, Pavlovich was invited by Palmer to her home to babysit. While there, she met Neil Gaiman, Palmer’s estranged husband and a famous author. Gaiman’s behavior towards Pavlovich escalated alarmingly during her stay, culminating in allegations of sexual assault. Following a series of disturbing encounters, Pavlovich ultimately reported Gaiman’s actions to the police in January 2023, claiming she had been sexually assaulted by him multiple times.
This incident has converged with revelations of other women’s allegations against Gaiman, including reports of coercion and abuse, which emerged in the summer of 2023. The podcast “Master” highlighted similar instances from various women who fell prey to Gaiman’s manipulative tactics.
Palmer had been vocal about her past experiences with sexual abuse and had hoped to create a safe space for women in the arts, which made things more complicated when the allegations against her husband came to light. During this period, Gaiman allegedly attempted to gaslight Pavlovich into believing the experiences were consensual, despite their evident coercive nature.
As the fallout from these allegations continues, Pavlovich is focusing on her education, now studying English literature at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She has become active in connecting with other women who have similar experiences, fostering a community of support and resilience.
The broader implications of these events signal a critical moment in discussions around male power dynamics, consent, and the complexities of relationships within the artistic community. While the journey for justice might be slow and painful, the solidarity among those affected offers hope for healing and accountability.
In summary, Pavlovich’s experience has ignited discussions about the necessary evolution of support systems for artists, especially young women vulnerable to predatory behaviors in creative spaces, challenging the status quo of silence around such issues.