Neil Gaiman, the renowned author of The Sandman, American Gods, and Coraline, is facing serious allegations in a lawsuit filed by a New Zealand woman.
Scarlett Pavlovich, who previously worked as a nanny and babysitter for Gaiman and his estranged wife, musician Amanda Palmer, has accused the best-selling author of rape, human trafficking, and prolonged abuse.
The allegations have sent shockwaves through the literary world, raising questions about power, exploitation, and the darker realities behind celebrity figures.
Allegations of Sexual Assault and Abuse
The lawsuits, filed in three different courts in the United States, detail claims of sexual assault, physical abuse, and manipulation. Pavlovich alleges that Neil Gaiman repeatedly raped her while she was employed by the couple in 2022.
According to the court documents, the abuse took place over several weeks and included acts of physical violence, including choking, and sexual assault in the presence of his child.
Pavlovich, who was in a vulnerable position at the time, reportedly met Palmer in 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand, when she was homeless and struggling with mental health issues. The lawsuit claims that Palmer was aware of her situation but failed to protect her from Neil Gaiman, despite allegedly knowing about his history of predatory behavior.
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The lawsuits seek damages exceeding $1 million, though Pavlovich has also expressed that the case is about more than just financial compensation—it is about exposing a pattern of abuse that she claims has affected multiple women.
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The documents allege that Palmer herself admitted to hearing similar complaints from over a dozen women, including former employees, yet took no action to stop her husband’s behavior.
Gaiman’s Response and the Fallout
Neil Gaiman has denied all allegations, stating in a January 2024 blog post that he has “never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.” He has not been criminally charged, and the case remains in civil court. Despite his denials, the fallout has been significant.
In response to the allegations, Dark Horse Comics, the publisher of The Sandman comics, announced that they would no longer publish Gaiman’s works. This decision came amid growing public scrutiny and backlash against the author.
While some of his fans have expressed skepticism about the claims, others have voiced their disappointment and concern, calling for a thorough investigation.
Palmer, who has been named as a defendant in some of the lawsuits, has not publicly commented on the case. However, court papers suggest that she played a role in enabling the abuse by bringing Pavlovich into their household despite allegedly knowing Gaiman’s history.
Reports indicate that Pavlovich filed a police report accusing Neil Gaiman of sexual assault, but no legal action was taken because Palmer refused to cooperate with authorities.
The Bigger Picture: Power, Exploitation, and Accountability
The lawsuit against Neil Gaiman is not just about one case of alleged abuse—it highlights broader issues of power and exploitation, particularly in creative industries where famous figures often operate with little oversight.
The case raises questions about how those in positions of power can manipulate vulnerable individuals, especially young women who depend on them for work or housing.
The allegations against Gaiman bear similarities to previous high-profile cases in the entertainment and literary worlds, such as those against Harvey Weinstein and J.K. Rowling’s former publisher, who faced accusations of misconduct.
While not all such allegations lead to criminal charges, they often expose hidden patterns of abuse and prompt broader conversations about accountability.
For Pavlovich, the lawsuit represents an attempt to bring these issues to light and seek justice for herself and others who may have experienced similar abuse. She claims that Palmer’s silence and refusal to speak with the police allowed Gaiman to continue his behavior unchecked, reinforcing a system that protects powerful men at the expense of their victims.
As the case moves forward, it remains to be seen how the legal system will respond to the allegations and whether more individuals will come forward with similar claims.
What is clear, however, is that the literary world, like many other industries, is not immune to the dark realities of power and exploitation. The outcome of this case could have lasting implications, not only for Gaiman’s legacy but for how allegations of abuse are handled within the creative community.