Neil Gaiman Sued by Former Nanny on Allegations of Human Trafficking, Sexual Abuse and Rape

Mar. 15, 2025

Neil Gaiman in January 2024.Photo:Andrew Toth/WireImage

Andrew Toth/WireImage

A former nanny who worked for Neil Gaiman and his estranged wife Amanda Palmer filed a federal lawsuit against the author on human trafficking allegations under the Trafficking Victim Protection Act. The nanny, Scarlett Pavlovich, also accused Gaiman, 64, of sexual abuse, assault, rape and coercion.

Pavlovich is one of multiple women who have accused Gaiman of sexual misconduct. She spoke toVultureon record earlier this month, about six months after the British podcastMasterpublished six episodes about five women with sexual assault allegations against Gaiman. TheSandmanauthorhas denied all allegations of nonconsensual sexual activity. Palmer, who is in the middle of divorce proceedings with Gaiman, wrote onInstagramon Jan. 15 that she was “not able to offer public comment” at the time.

Pavlovich’s attorneys, who declined to comment to PEOPLE, filed the lawsuit that names Gaiman and Palmer in Wisconsin, where the author owns a home. They also simultaneously filed lawsuits in Massachusetts and New York federal court that only named Palmer as a defendant “given the uncertainty” of Palmer’s state of residence. The actions against Palmer will continue “only in the district of [Palmer’s] choosing,” the complaint reads.

Neil Gaiman in April 2024.John Nacion/Variety via Getty

John Nacion/Variety via Getty

In her lawsuit against Gaiman, which also names Palmer, Pavlovich accused him of sexual violence on multiple occasions while working for Gaiman and Palmer in New Zealand. She met Palmer in Auckland in 2020, when she was 22, according to the lawsuit. They became “acquaintances” and Pavlovich says she would sometimes visit Palmer’s house on Waiheke Island and would help around the house. Pavlovich claims Palmer knew she was “economically insecure” and “had been suffering from mental health difficulties.”

Although Pavlovich was told she would be paid, she wasn’t paid until months after her employment ended, she claims. Palmer “knowingly recruited Scarlett to come to Waiheke with the intention of obtaining Scarlett’s uncompensated labor,” the complaint alleges. The complaint describes Pavlovich as an “economic hostage to Palmer and Gaiman.”

Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer in 2019.Dave Benett/WireImage

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Pavlovich is seeking damages to be determined at trial. According to the complaint, the damages are “reasonably believed to be in excess of $1,000,000.00, including, without limitation, damages to physical well-being, emotional and psychological damages, past and future economic losses, past and future physical impairment damages including but not limited to PTSD, anxiety, and depression which are physical impairments of the brain, loss of career opportunities, together with punitive damages, plus prejudgment interest, attorneys’ fees, expenses, costs and disbursements.”

Representatives for Gaiman and Palmer did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.

source: people.com