Neil Gaiman Accused of Sexual Assault in Three Civil Lawsuits

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Neil Gaiman Accused of Sexual Assault in Three Civil Lawsuits \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Neil Gaiman, the bestselling British author of Coraline and The Sandman, and his wife, Amanda Palmer, are facing three civil lawsuits filed by Scarlett Pavlovich, a former nanny who alleges repeated sexual assault while working for the couple. Filed in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York, the lawsuits accuse Gaiman of assault, abuse, and coercion, while also alleging Palmer was aware of her husband’s actions. The lawsuits seek at least $7 million in damages and claim violations of federal human trafficking laws.

Neil Gaiman Sued for Sexual Assault – Quick Look

Who Filed the Lawsuits? Scarlett Pavlovich, a former nanny and assistant.
Where? Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York federal courts.
Key Allegations:
- Repeated sexual assault by Gaiman from February 2022 onward.
- Human trafficking violations involving both Gaiman and Palmer.
- Financial and emotional coercion to keep Pavlovich under their employment.
Gaiman’s Response: Denies all allegations, claiming he has never engaged in non-consensual sex.
Publishing Fallout:
- HarperCollins and W.W. Norton will no longer publish his books.
- Dark Horse Comics canceled its “Anansi Boys” illustrated series.
- Disney paused its adaptation of “The Graveyard Book”.
- Netflix still moving forward with “The Sandman” Season 2.
Legal Status: Pavlovich claims she filed a police report in 2023, but no criminal charges have been confirmed.

Deep Look: Neil Gaiman Faces Civil Lawsuits Over Sexual Assault Allegations

Bestselling British author Neil Gaiman and his wife, musician Amanda Palmer, are facing three civil lawsuits filed by Scarlett Pavlovich, a woman who previously worked as their nanny and babysitter. The lawsuits, filed in federal courts in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York, allege that Gaiman repeatedly sexually assaulted Pavlovich while she was working for the couple. The legal claims further argue that Palmer enabled her husband’s alleged behavior and that both violated federal human trafficking laws. Pavlovich is seeking at least $7 million in damages.

The allegations add to a growing scandal surrounding Gaiman, who was previously accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women in a New York Magazine investigation published in January 2024. Since then, several publishers and media companies have distanced themselves from him, casting doubt on his once-thriving career.

A Timeline of Events Leading to the Lawsuits

According to the lawsuits, Scarlett Pavlovich was a homeless 22-year-old living on a beach in Auckland, New Zealand, when she first met Amanda Palmer in 2020. Palmer, a musician known for her work with the Dresden Dolls, allegedly invited Pavlovich to stay at the home she shared with Gaiman on Waiheke Island, a short ferry ride from Auckland.

Pavlovich claims she initially helped the couple with errands, household chores, and babysitting their son. Over time, this arrangement evolved into a full-time nannying role.

The lawsuits allege that Gaiman’s sexual misconduct began on the very night they met in February 2022. According to Pavlovich’s filings, he sexually assaulted her multiple times over the course of her employment. Despite this, she remained in the household because she was financially dependent on the couple and had nowhere else to go.

She also alleges that Gaiman manipulated her by promising to help with her writing career, which made her reluctant to leave.

When Pavlovich confided in Palmer about the abuse, Palmer allegedly responded by saying that more than a dozen other women had previously come forward with similar accusations against Gaiman. However, Palmer did not intervene or take action, according to Pavlovich’s lawsuits.

The alleged abuse only stopped after Pavlovich threatened to kill herself, at which point she left the family and became homeless again. The lawsuits claim that Gaiman later paid her for her childcare services and covered her rent for a few months.

Pavlovich contends that Palmer knowingly placed her in a situation where she would be vulnerable to assault, thereby making both Gaiman and Palmer liable for human trafficking violations.

Legal and Criminal Implications

Pavlovich’s legal filings mark a significant escalation in the controversy surrounding Gaiman. While the lawsuits are civil, meaning they do not involve criminal charges at this time, they could still have serious legal consequences.

The lawsuits also do not confirm whether law enforcement is actively investigating Gaiman. However, Pavlovich claims that she filed a police report in January 2023, alleging that Gaiman sexually assaulted her. Law enforcement agencies have yet to publicly comment on whether any investigation is underway.

If these lawsuits lead to further evidence or testimony from other women, Gaiman could potentially face criminal charges in the future.

Neil Gaiman’s Response and Public Denial

Following the January 2024 New York Magazine investigation, which detailed allegations of sexual abuse, coercion, and manipulation from eight women, Gaiman issued a public denial. In a Tumblr post, he wrote:

“I’m far from a perfect person, but I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.”

So far, neither Gaiman nor Palmer has directly responded to the new lawsuits. Additionally, online court records do not currently list attorneys representing them in these cases.

Palmer, who has built a reputation as a feminist and outspoken artist, has also remained silent on the allegations, despite being directly implicated in Pavlovich’s claims.

Fallout from the Allegations: Industry Backlash

The controversy has already led to major professional setbacks for Gaiman. Several of his long-standing publishing and media partnerships have been severed or put on hold:

Book Publishers and Comics

HarperCollins and W.W. Norton have announced they will not release any future books by Gaiman.
Dark Horse Comics canceled the illustrated adaptation of Anansi Boys in January 2024, stopping publication before the final issue could be released.
Bloomsbury, another major publisher that has worked with Gaiman, declined to comment on whether they would continue their association with him.

Film and Television Adaptations

Disney has paused production on a planned live-action adaptation of Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book, a novel that has been in development for years.
Netflix, however, is still scheduled to release The Sandman Season 2, despite the growing controversy surrounding Gaiman.

Netflix’s decision is particularly notable, as The Sandman is one of its biggest fantasy properties. Industry analysts speculate that Netflix might reconsider its stance depending on how the lawsuits progress.

The Bigger Picture: #MeToo and Power in the Literary World

Gaiman’s legal troubles highlight larger conversations about power dynamics, abuse, and accountability in the literary world.

Over the past decade, the #MeToo movement has led to a reckoning in Hollywood, music, and publishing, exposing allegations of misconduct against prominent figures. The accusations against Gaiman mirror previous cases where powerful male authors were accused of manipulating or coercing younger women in professional or personal settings.

Some industry insiders have also drawn comparisons to J.K. Rowling’s controversial public statements, though in an entirely different context. While Rowling faced backlash over comments on gender identity, Gaiman’s accusations strike at the core of the ongoing #MeToo conversation.

The outcome of these lawsuits could significantly impact Gaiman’s legacy and whether publishers and studios are willing to risk reputational damage by continuing to work with him.

What Happens Next?

At this stage, there is no trial date set for the lawsuits, and Gaiman has not been formally charged with a crime. However, legal experts believe that the cases could set important precedents regarding accountability in the entertainment and publishing industries.

The key questions moving forward include:

Will Gaiman’s legal team formally respond to the lawsuits?
Will more women come forward with allegations?
Could these lawsuits lead to criminal charges?
How will Netflix, Disney, and other publishers react in the coming months?

As the legal battle unfolds, public opinion and industry decisions will likely shape Gaiman’s future career prospects. For now, the author remains embroiled in one of the most significant scandals of his career.