Woman’s lawsuits say sci-fi author Neil Gaiman repeatedly sexually assaulted her

A woman from New Zealand has recently filed a lawsuit against renowned British author Neil Gaiman and his wife, Amanda Palmer, accusing Gaiman of repeatedly sexually assaulting her while she was working as their babysitter and nanny.

The woman, Scarlett Pavlovich, has filed lawsuits in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York, with separate filings against Palmer in the latter two states due to uncertainty regarding her residence. Pavlovich’s decision to come forward follows a New York Magazine article published in January that detailed allegations of assault, abuse, and coercion made by eight women, including herself.

According to the lawsuits, Pavlovich met Palmer in Auckland in 2020 when she was homeless and living on a beach. Palmer invited her to the couple’s home on Waiheke Island, where Pavlovich began assisting with errands, babysitting their child, and eventually becoming their nanny.

Details of the Lawsuit

The lawsuits allege that Gaiman sexually assaulted Pavlovich on the night they first met in February 2022. Despite the ongoing assaults, Pavlovich continued working for the couple due to financial constraints and promises from Gaiman to help advance her writing career.

When Pavlovich disclosed the assaults to Palmer, she was allegedly informed that numerous women had previously accused Gaiman of similar behavior. The assaults only ceased after Pavlovich threatened to harm herself, prompting her to leave the family and return to homelessness. Gaiman eventually compensated her for her work and assisted with rent payments for a few months.

Pavlovich claims that Palmer was aware of Gaiman’s actions and facilitated the assaults, thereby violating federal human trafficking laws. She is seeking at least $7 million in damages for the alleged violations.

Response from Neil Gaiman

Following the publication of the New York Magazine article, Gaiman released a statement in January vehemently denying any involvement in non-consensual sexual activity. The allegations made by four women were previously discussed in a Tortoise Media podcast episode that aired in July.

Representatives for Gaiman and Palmer have yet to respond to requests for comment on the lawsuits, and legal representation for the couple has not been publicly disclosed. Pavlovich mentioned filing a police report in January 2023, accusing Gaiman of sexual assault, although law enforcement has not confirmed any ongoing investigation.

Several publishers, including HarperCollins and W.W. Norton, have announced they will not release Gaiman’s future works. Dark Horse Comics has halted the release of an illustrated series based on Gaiman’s novel, Anansi Boys, and Disney has paused an adaptation of The Graveyard Book. However, Netflix is still set to release a second season based on The Sandman, with plans to conclude the series after that season.