A New Zealand woman has filed a civil lawsuit accusing bestselling British author Neil Gaiman and his estranged wife, musician Amanda Palmer, of sexually abusing her while she was employed as their nanny.
Allegations and Background
Scarlett Pavlovich&mdash;whose allegations first gained public attention through a Tortoise Media podcast&mdash;claims she was recruited by Amanda Palmer to work as a live-in nanny. According to the lawsuit, Palmer, who is currently embroiled in contentious divorce and custody proceedings with Gaiman, invited the then 22‑year‑old Pavlovich to join their household on Waiheke Island after they met in Auckland in 2020. At the time, Pavlovich was homeless and seeking stability.
The filing alleges that on the very first night they met in February 2022, Gaiman sexually assaulted Pavlovich. The lawsuit contends that the abuse continued over a period of time&mdash;even as she performed duties including childcare and household tasks&mdash;because she was desperate for financial support and had been promised help with launching her writing career. Pavlovich further asserts that when she disclosed the assaults to Palmer, the musician revealed that she had been warned by others about Gaiman&rsquo;s alleged abusive tendencies. According to the suit, the abuse only ceased when Pavlovich threatened to take her own life.
Legal and Personal Repercussions
Pavlovich&rsquo;s attorneys have filed the suit in federal courts in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York. They claim that Gaiman&rsquo;s actions constitute rape, sexual assault, coercion, and human trafficking violations under federal law&mdash;and they seek at least $7 million in damages. While Gaiman is identified as a resident of Wisconsin, the suit notes uncertainty regarding Palmer&rsquo;s current state of residency.
Both Gaiman and Palmer are amid divorce proceedings after having been married since 2011 and raising a child together. Gaiman has denied all allegations, stating in a recent public statement, &ldquo;I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.&rdquo; Palmer, for her part, has expressed that she is &ldquo;profoundly disturbed&rdquo; by the allegations while emphasizing that her foremost concern remains the wellbeing of her child.
The legal actions have already impacted Gaiman&rsquo;s professional engagements. Major publishers including HarperCollins and W. W. Norton have indicated that they will no longer release his future works. Other industry partners&mdash;such as Dark Horse Comics, which had been releasing an illustrated adaptation of his novel Anansi Boys&mdash;have also taken steps to distance themselves amid the controversy. In addition, several planned adaptations, including a production of Coraline and a Disney project based on The Graveyard Book, have been canceled, and Netflix has announced that the upcoming second season of The Sandman will be the series&rsquo; final installment.
Ongoing Developments
Pavlovich&rsquo;s suit also claims that a police report was filed in New Zealand regarding the alleged assault, though she contends that no action was taken, in part because Palmer declined to cooperate with local authorities. As legal proceedings move forward, neither Gaiman nor Palmer has provided further comment, and both remain without confirmed legal representation in this matter.
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Also See: <a href="https://www.benefitnews.in/opinion/heroes-fall--and-then-what-happens-/4819">Heroes Fall, and Then What Happens?</a>

Ex-nanny first raised accusations of rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking last year

$7 Million Civil Suit Against Neil Gaiman, Amanda Palmer

Ex-nanny first raised accusations of rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking last year

February 4, 2025 | 13:34 IST