Amanda Palmer “disturbed” by Neil Gaiman sexual assault accusations
Singer-songwriter Amanda Palmer has issued a public statement after her former husband, novelist Neil Gaiman, was accused of sexual assault by multiple women.
In a statement issued to NME, a representative speaking on behalf of Palmer said: “While Ms. Palmer is profoundly disturbed by the allegations that Mr. Gaiman has abused several women, at this time her primary concern is, and must remain, the well-being of her son and therefore, to guard his privacy, she has no comment on these allegations.”
Palmer also took to Instagram to explain why she will not be speaking at length regarding the accusations, posting, “As there are ongoing custody and divorce proceedings, I am not able to offer public comment. Please understand that I am first and foremost a parent. I ask for privacy at this time.”
Singer-songwriter Palmer shares one son with Gaiman, who she married in 2011 after beginning a relationship with in 2008.
In 2022, the couple announced their separation in a joint statement, sharing, “After many years of marriage, we have made the difficult decision to divorce. While we will no longer be partners in marriage, we will remain in one another’s lives as co-parents committed to raising our wonderful son in a loving and compassionate environment. We deeply appreciate everyone respecting our family’s privacy so we can focus on our son and entering this new chapter in our lives.”
Last year, Gaiman was the subject of a podcast series by Tortoise Media which saw two women come forward with sexual assault allegations against the author.
This week, the two women spoke to Vulture, including Scarlett Pavlovich, who claims she grew close to Palmer, which led to her becoming a nanny for the family. Pavolovich made a series of sexual assault allegations against Gaiman, as did Kendra Stout, who claims to have first met Gaiman in 2003 at a fan event in Florida.
In response to the allegations by Pavlovich and Stout, Gaiman issued a statement denying that any of the sexual encounters with the women were non-consensual.
Gaiman said, “There are moments I half-recognise and moments I don’t” in the allegations. However, he maintained all the relationships he engaged in were entirely consensual, writing, “I’m far from a perfect person, but I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.”
“I was emotionally unavailable while being sexually available,” admitted Gaiman, “self-focused and not as thoughtful as I could or should have been. At the same time, as I reflect on my past – and as I re-review everything that actually happened as opposed to what is being alleged – I don’t accept there was any abuse. To repeat, I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone.”
Gaiman also stated, “I am prepared to take responsibility for any missteps I made. I’m not willing to turn my back on the truth, and I can’t accept being described as someone I am not, and cannot and will not admit to doing things I didn’t do.”
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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