Allegations Surface Against Neil Gaiman in Sexual Assault Lawsuit Involving Amanda Palmer

Scarlett Pavlovich's lawsuit details accusations of repeated sexual abuse against Neil Gaiman, with assertions that Amanda Palmer helped to put her in a vulnerable position. Gaiman has denied the allegations.

Scarlett Pavlovich, a 26-year-old New Zealand woman now residing in Scotland, has taken legal action against acclaimed author Neil Gaiman, alleging a series of sexual assaults. The lawsuit, filed on Monday in a federal court across Massachusetts, New York, and Wisconsin, accuses Gaiman of repeatedly raping and abusing Pavlovich while she worked as a nanny for his child.

Pavlovich also alleges Amanda Palmer, Gaiman's estranged wife, was complicit in these acts, claiming she “procured and presented” Pavlovich to Gaiman with the intention of leaving her “trapped, vulnerable and penniless.” According to the lawsuit, the distress from these alleged abuses has resulted in severe emotional trauma, physical injuries, and financial hardship for Pavlovich.

The troubling details of these allegations were previously highlighted in an article by New York Magazine and during a podcast last summer, in which several women voiced similar complaints against Gaiman. Gaiman has publicly denied the accusations, stating unequivocally that he has “never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.”

The lawsuit outlines that Pavlovich met Palmer in New Zealand in 2020 when she was in a dire state, often homeless and sleeping on beaches. Following their acquaintance, she began assisting Palmer and Gaiman, including taking care of their son. The case continues to develop as the complexities surrounding the allegations unfold.