A number of women have come forward with sexual assault allegations against author Neil Gaiman, including one individual who worked as his babysitter. This development follows an article in New York Magazine that explores Gaiman’s personal life, including his marriage and recent separation from Amanda Palmer, as well as the assault allegations that first emerged last year.
Eight accusers are highlighted in the article, four of whom had previously shared their experiences on a podcast titled “The Master: Allegations Against Neil Gaiman,” primarily focusing on the allegations made by former nanny Scarlett Pavlovich. The investigation includes an analysis of text messages and emails exchanged between Pavlovich and her friends, as well as communications between her and Gaiman.
While Gaiman has not directly commented on the allegations, his legal team has dismissed several specific claims. Gaiman has consistently maintained that all interactions were consensual. Amanda Palmer did not directly respond to the article, although friends of hers expressed concern over the potential impact of the allegations on Pavlovich.
Pavlovich alleges that she faced multiple instances of assault while babysitting Gaiman and Palmer’s son in New Zealand, where she had moved in February 2022. She described an initial encounter where Gaiman allegedly entered the bathtub with her and made inappropriate requests. Her accusations detail graphic acts of sexual violence, including forced oral sex and physical assault, alongside a pattern of verbal manipulation.
Throughout her account, Pavlovich recounts feelings of confusion and fear, which she attributes to the traumatic experiences. She also illustrated a troubling dynamic, where Gaiman purportedly behaved inappropriately with both her and their young son. The seriousness of these allegations, combined with the testimonies of other women, presents a disturbing narrative that warrants further attention and investigation.
Despite the severity of the accusations, there has been no immediate public response from Gaiman’s representatives, leaving many questions unanswered about the actions and implications of these serious allegations.Recently, allegations have surfaced against author Neil Gaiman, with accusations involving sexual misconduct from individuals including Amanda Pavlovich. Gaiman’s legal representative has characterized these claims as “false and deplorable.”
Pavlovich reportedly recounted to a colleague named Palmer incidents that occurred in various locations, such as bathrooms and hotels, although she did not initially label these experiences as sexual assaults. Following these events, a friend of Palmer’s, musician Lance Horn, shared that Palmer contacted Gaiman for clarification about a particular incident in a hotel room. According to Horn, Gaiman denied any wrongdoing during that phone call.
In subsequent communications, Pavlovich seemed to express a desire to resolve the situation, responding to Gaiman’s message with indications of hope for improvement. However, she also confided in friends about her feelings towards Gaiman’s actions and the broader implications of their interactions, revealing her struggle with how to categorize her experiences.
Pavlovich’s allegations, along with those from others, touch on themes of BDSM practices in which consent is critical. Critics of Gaiman describe a pattern wherein he allegedly overstepped the boundaries that are crucial in such dynamics.
Pavlovich felt a disconnect from her peers and a concern for Gaiman’s perception, leading her to state the experience felt “consensual,” but was complicated by her emotional state at the time.
Another individual, Kendra Stout, also alleged inappropriate behavior by Gaiman, recounting their initial meeting in which he expressed a desire for a dominant-submissive relationship. Despite communication of her discomfort during their interaction, she stated that Gaiman proceeded without adequate consideration of her consent.
Both Pavlovich and Stout have filed police reports in connection to their allegations, although a spokesperson indicated that Pavlovich’s matter has been closed. Representatives for Gaiman have yet to respond to requests for comments regarding these allegations.