Neil Gaiman, renowned author of The Sandman and Coraline, is facing multiple sexual assault allegations from nine women, as revealed in a New York Magazine report.
The article, titled There Is No Safe Word, expands on earlier reports, including a six-part podcast by Tortoise Media from July. It brings forward new testimonies from eight women, who describe their experiences with Gaiman.
One of the accusers, Scarlett Pavlovich, met Gaiman through his ex-wife, Amanda Palmer, in New Zealand. She was 22 at the time and had been asked to babysit Gaiman’s young child. Pavlovich claims Gaiman sexually assaulted her during this time. According to her account, Gaiman invited her to bathe in his garden, where she alleges he touched her inappropriately, tried to force his penis into her, and made degrading requests. Pavlovich alleges the incidents continued, with one involving Gaiman using butter as lubricant for non-consensual acts. She also recounts a disturbing encounter in a hotel room in Auckland, where she alleges Gaiman initiated sexual activity while his son was present.
Pavlovich, who later signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and received $9,200 in payments, filed a police report in January 2023, but the case was closed due to lack of evidence. Gaiman’s spokesperson has denied the allegations, calling them “false, not to mention deplorable.”
Other accusers have come forward with similar claims. Caroline, who worked as a caretaker for Gaiman, alleges he initiated sexual encounters while his son was nearby, and she eventually received $300,000 in exchange for signing an NDA. Another accuser, Kendra Stout, claims Gaiman raped her in 2007 after she repeatedly refused his advances. Katherine Kendall alleges Gaiman attempted to assault her on a tour bus and later gave her $60,000 for therapy to compensate for the trauma.
Gaiman’s representatives have denied all allegations, stating that they are unfounded and false.
