Tag: Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman, consent and New Zealand

So, some things are happening regarding Neil Gaiman (Gaiman) – the formerly beloved fantasy author whose reputation when up in flames when multiple women came forward with stories of coercion into sexual and physical abuse.

One of these women, Scarlett Pavlovich, (Pavlovich) had initially been introduced to him by Amanda Palmer, (Palmer) and was employed by the couple as a nanny. In addition to supplying a truly horrifying story involving physical abuse with a belt, being assaulted in front of the child and non-consensual urine-play – she has sued Gaiman in the US.1Pavlovich, Scarlett v. Gaiman, Neil, 3:25-cv-00078, (W.D. Wis.)

Currently the case against Gaiman is on appeal after the judge dismissed it without prejudice – essentially claiming that the first course of action should be to try to sue Gaiman in New Zealand.2Scarlett Pavlovich v. Neil Gaiman, 25-2754, (7th Cir.) I have opinions on this ruling, but was waiting to see how it played out – but then a plot twist occurred.

In the background there has a been a Substack account frantically gathering evidence and building theories as to why Gaiman is innocent.3Technopathy “Neil Gaiman Is Innocent: Introduction” (10 January 2026) Substack <technopathology.substack.com> It was recently signal boosted by Gaiman as “reporting”.4Neil Gaiman (3 February 2026) BlueSky <bsky.app>

Apparently the author has been identified by his own trail of online breadcrumbs, according to Diana Sterling Jones, he is a buddhist monk who got infamous for various protests – including the Extinction Rebellion that Gaiman supported.5 Diana Sterling Jones “Revealed: Neil Gaiman’s Anonymous Substack Defender is an Activist Monk” (5 February 2026) Shooting The Messenger <shootingthemessenger.blog>

I don’t think I need to explain that the contents of the Substack are bad. It couldn’t be anything but. It complains sources are too vague, or too long – but then the “short reads” are pages upon pages (I picked one at random and it’s more then 3,600 words) and that what they really needed was 46 pages of private messages (because those definitely confirm what happened in real life).6 “Neil Gaiman Is Innocent: Introduction”, above n 3
Technopathology “Neil Gaiman Is Innocent: Contents 2026” (11 July 2025, updated frequently) Substack <technopathology.substack.com> Many of them are clearly desperation and grasping for any straw they think will generate sympathy.

A screenshot with "Neil Gaiman Is Innocent: Racial Hoaxes and Antisemitic Tropes" subtitle: "A Major Magazine has helped perpetrate an anti-semitic smear." 8 August 2025, Technopathology The image of the cover, with a professional headshot, is marked up with claims it shows "beady eyes - check" "hooked nose - check", rebranding Vulture as "Antisemitism" and using screencaps from 4chan to make their point.

The above is roughly 1,000 words of analysing the professional headshot that Vulture chose for an article and inventing ways that its racist – while using similar headshots on the same blog and making similar decisions regarding the other parties they report on.7Technopathology “Neil Gaiman Is Innocent: Racial Hoaxes and Antisemitic Tropes” (8 August 2025) <technopathology.substack.com> Also, this Substack was started in April 2025 so they should know about the issues there.8Shane Burley “How Deep Does Substack’s Far-Right Problem Run, Really?” (21 June 2024) Ink Stick Media <inkstickmedia.com>

Going over them point by point would be a Sisphean task for even the most passionate and manic investigator. I think everything worth saying about it in general, has already been said by the amazing D’Angelo.9 D’Angelo (@d-angelo) “neil gaiman is back and creepier than ever” (5 February 2026) YouTube <www.youtube.com>

So instead, I want to just examine how far this plea of consent would go in New Zealand – whether there’s a realistic basis that Gaiman would engage with proceedings taking place in New Zealand, and what legal issues might influence his decision to or not to.

Disclaimer: I have a law degree in New Zealand, but I’m not (yet) a lawyer and more importantly I’m not your lawyer. This is a purely amateur analysis. None of this is personal legal advice and you must not rely upon it as such. And please, please, please, do not tell me about any crimes you may have committed.

Also I believe the women who raised the allegations against Gaiman.

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