A woman from New Zealand has filed multiple civil lawsuits against best-selling British author Neil Gaiman and his wife, Amanda Palmer, accusing Gaiman of repeatedly sexually assaulting her while she worked as their babysitter and nanny.

The lawsuits, filed by Scarlett Pavlovich, were submitted in federal court in Wisconsin, where Gaiman resides, as well as in Massachusetts and New York for Palmer.

Allegations Against Gaiman and Palmer

Pavlovich alleges in the lawsuits that she was homeless and living on a beach in Auckland, New Zealand, when she first met Palmer in 2020. At the time, Pavlovich was 22 years old. According to court documents, Palmer invited Pavlovich to their home on Waiheke Island, where she began running errands, babysitting their son, and helping with chores. However, Pavlovich claims she was “generally not paid for these tasks,” even though travel expenses from Auckland to Waiheke Island ranged between $40 and $59 NZD.

The lawsuit further states that Palmer first asked Pavlovich to babysit in February 2022, and it was on that same night that Gaiman allegedly sexually assaulted her. Pavlovich claims that even though Palmer and Gaiman were separated at the time, the assaults continued for an extended period. Despite the alleged abuse, Pavlovich said she continued working for the couple because she was struggling financially, and Gaiman had promised to help her with her writing career.

Palmer’s Alleged Knowledge of the Abuse

According to Pavlovich, she eventually confided in Palmer about the assaults. However, Palmer allegedly told her that over a dozen other women had previously accused Gaiman of similar misconduct. The lawsuit further alleges that Gaiman had compensated some of these women with financial settlements totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Pavlovich claims the assaults did not stop until she threatened to take her own life. After leaving the family, she became homeless again. The legal documents state that Gaiman eventually paid her for some of the work she did as a nanny and covered her rent for a few months.

Human Trafficking Allegations

Pavlovich’s lawsuit also alleges that Palmer was aware of Gaiman’s sexual behaviors and knowingly placed her in harm’s way. As a result, both Gaiman and Palmer are accused of violating federal human trafficking laws. Pavlovich is seeking at least $7 million in damages.

Earlier this year, Pavlovich publicly identified herself in an interview with New York Magazine, where she was one of eight women who made allegations of assault, abuse, and coercion against Gaiman. The magazine detailed their accusations, bringing renewed attention to the case.

Gaiman’s Response and Industry Reactions

Following the publication of the New York Magazine article, Gaiman released a statement in January, categorically denying the accusations. “I’m far from a perfect person, but I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever,” he posted on Tumblr.

Gaiman and Palmer have not publicly responded to the latest lawsuit, and court records do not yet indicate whether they have secured legal representation. Pavlovich’s attorneys stated in the filings that while Gaiman resides in Menomonie, Wisconsin, Palmer’s current residence is uncertain, with possibilities in Massachusetts or New York.

Police Investigation and Industry Fallout

According to Pavlovich, she filed a police report in January 2023 accusing Gaiman of sexual assault. However, law enforcement agencies have not confirmed whether Gaiman was under investigation at the time.

The allegations have had serious consequences for Gaiman’s career. Publishers HarperCollins and W.W. Norton have announced that they will no longer release his books. Other publishers, including Bloomsbury, have not issued official statements.

In the entertainment industry, the impact is also being felt. Dark Horse Comics announced in January that it would no longer continue its illustrated series based on Gaiman’s novel, Anansi Boys. Meanwhile, Disney has paused its planned adaptation of The Graveyard Book, and Netflix remains committed to releasing the second season of The Sandman.

Conclusion

As the legal battle unfolds, the allegations against Gaiman and Palmer continue to raise serious questions. The lawsuits could have far-reaching implications not only for Gaiman’s personal and professional reputation but also for how the publishing and entertainment industries respond to misconduct allegations in the future.