Three federal lawsuits against acclaimed author Neil Gaiman, accusing him of sexual assault, have been dismissed by US judges. The allegations stem from incidents involving the couple’s former nanny in New Zealand, with the courts ruling that the cases should be pursued in New Zealand rather than in the United States.
Background of the Allegations
Scarlett Pavlovich, the former nanny, lodged her first lawsuit against Gaiman and his wife, Amanda Palmer, in February 2025 in Wisconsin. Pavlovich claimed that Gaiman had sexually assaulted her multiple times while she was employed by the couple in 2022. In a concerted legal strategy, she simultaneously filed additional lawsuits against Palmer in Massachusetts and New York. Gaiman, who has a residence in northwestern Wisconsin, and Palmer, who is based in Massachusetts, became embroiled in a complex legal situation as Pavlovich’s claims unfolded.
As the cases progressed, Pavlovich withdrew her New York lawsuit against Palmer in June, clarifying that her initial filing was due to uncertainty regarding jurisdiction following Palmer’s recent move. In October, Judge James Peterson dismissed the remaining Wisconsin lawsuit, advising that Pavlovich should pursue her claims in New Zealand. This ruling was echoed by Judge Nathaniel Gorton in Boston, who dismissed the Massachusetts claim on similar grounds.
The Accusations in Detail
Pavlovich has openly shared her narrative, detailing how she met Palmer in Auckland in 2020 while she was homeless and struggling. According to her accounts, she was invited to the couple’s Waiheke Island home, where she began working as their son’s nanny. Pavlovich alleged that Gaiman assaulted her on the very night they met and that these incidents continued, exacerbated by her precarious living situation and Gaiman’s promise to support her writing ambitions.
When Pavlovich confided in Palmer about the assaults, she claimed that Palmer acknowledged hearing similar allegations from multiple women regarding Gaiman’s behaviour. The assaults reportedly ceased only after Pavlovich expressed suicidal thoughts to Palmer, highlighting the troubling dynamics at play.
In her lawsuits, Pavlovich accused both Gaiman and Palmer of violating federal human trafficking laws, seeking damages of at least $7 million.
Gaiman’s Response
In the wake of the allegations, Gaiman has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Following the publication of a New York magazine article that featured the allegations from Pavlovich and several other women, Gaiman released a statement refuting any claims of non-consensual sexual encounters. His legal team described the relationship between Gaiman and Pavlovich as a brief affair marked by “consensual physical intimacy.” Furthermore, they contended that a New Zealand police investigation found no merit in Pavlovich’s claims, suggesting that her lawsuits were part of a broader scheme to tarnish Gaiman’s reputation.
The Legal Landscape
The outcome of these lawsuits underscores the complexities of jurisdiction and the challenges of pursuing legal actions across international borders. The decision by US judges to dismiss the cases reinforces the importance of context and location in legal matters, especially in sensitive cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct.
Why it Matters
The dismissal of these lawsuits highlights not only the legal hurdles faced by individuals alleging sexual assault but also the ongoing discourse surrounding consent and accountability in high-profile cases. As society grapples with these difficult issues, the implications for both victims and the accused are profound. The outcome of such legal battles can have lasting impacts on reputations, careers, and the broader conversation about sexual violence, making it imperative for all parties to navigate these waters with care and consideration.