Trigger Warning: This article contains graphic descriptions of sexual violence, abuse, and coercion that may be disturbing to some readers. Please take care while reading.
No one expected this.
Beloved author Neil Gaiman — creator of The Sandman, Coraline, Good Omens, and American Gods — whose words raised generations on myths, magic, and moral introspection, is now at the center of deeply disturbing allegations. To his millions of fans, Gaiman was more than a writer; he was a cultural figure associated with whimsy, empathy, and progressive values. Which is precisely why the shockwaves ran so deep when, beginning in 2024, multiple women came forward to accuse him of sexual assault and abuse — accounts that are harrowing, detailed, and disturbingly consistent.
It all began publicly in July 2024, when the British podcast Master: The Allegations Against Neil Gaiman released a six-episode exposé featuring testimonies from five women. One of them, known only by her first name at the time, Scarlett, later revealed herself to be Scarlett Pavlovich, a former nanny employed by Gaiman and his estranged wife, musician Amanda Palmer.
As of February 2025, Gaiman is facing multiple federal lawsuits filed by Pavlovich in Massachusetts, New York, and Wisconsin, accusing him of rape, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. The lawsuits also name Amanda Palmer, alleging her role in “procuring and presenting” Pavlovich to Gaiman for abuse.
These allegations must have been taken seriously at the time they first surfaced — not only because of the severity and pattern of the acts described, but because history has shown, again and again, that when women come forward with stories of sexual violence or abuse, they are too often met with disbelief, silence, or retaliation.
The women in this case—like so many before them—did not have institutional power. Several were young, economically vulnerable, or emotionally compromised. Some had previously experienced abuse and were seeking stability. Instead of being protected, their accounts were questioned, minimized, or ignored altogether.
When Scarlett Pavlovich first told her story anonymously on the Master podcast in 2023, the allegations should have sparked immediate public scrutiny, accountability, and legal inquiry. But instead, the response was muted. Despite the seriousness of the allegations—rape, coercion, abuse in the presence of a child—many dismissed the claims outright or avoided the subject altogether because of who was being accused: a literary hero, a “progressive” public figure, a man who “seemed too good” to be capable of such acts.
That kind of cultural bias is dangerous. It enables abusers to thrive in the shadows of their reputations. It deters other victims from coming forward. And it perpetuates a toxic, deeply ingrained belief that some men are simply too beloved, too accomplished, or too powerful to be held accountable.
The time to listen seriously was then—not after media coverage, not after legal filings, not after irreparable harm. The women who raised their voices early were taking the kind of risk we, as a society, so often ask of survivors but fail to honor when they comply.
When women speak up, the burden of proof falls on them, while the accused often benefits from presumption of character. But the reality is that allegations don’t surface in a vacuum; they almost always emerge after long periods of silence, fear, and internal reckoning. And when they are consistent, specific, and corroborated by many sources, they deserve urgent attention, not delayed outrage.
We must reflect not only on what was done, but on what was not done when the first alarms were raised. Believing women starts with listening the first time they speak—not years later, when the evidence becomes impossible to ignore.
A chronological breakdown of what has emerged so far
2003–2007: Kendra Stout
- Met Gaiman in 2003 at a book signing when she was 18.
- Allegation: In 2007, Gaiman raped her, according to her testimony in the Master podcast and the Vulture report.
- On October 2024, she filed a police report alleging he raped her.
2012: Katherine Kendall
- Met Gaiman when she was 22.
- Allegation: Gaiman attempted to have sex with her on his tour bus.
- Later gave her $60,000, reportedly to support her therapy and “make up for the damage.”
2018–2021: Caroline Wallner
- Lived and worked as a caretaker for Gaiman and Palmer in Woodstock, NY, with her husband.
- After her husband left, she began a physical and phone-sex relationship with Gaiman.
- Allegation: One night, while reading to Gaiman’s 4-year-old son in bed, Gaiman climbed into bed with them and placed Caroline’s hand on his penis. Caroline said, “He didn’t have boundaries. There was something really wrong with him.”
- Later offered $5,000 and an NDA to leave the property.
2020–2022: Scarlett Pavlovich
- 2020: Met Amanda Palmer in New Zealand while she was 22, homeless, and struggling with mental health.
- Palmer, Gaiman’s then-wife, allegedly knew of Pavlovich’s trauma history and still introduced her to the household.
February 4, 2022 – First Alleged Assault
- Gaiman allegedly suggested Pavlovich take a bath in the garden, despite her discomfort.
- Entered the bathtub, inserted his fingers into her anus while she objected.
- Rubbed his penis between her breasts and ejaculated on her face.
- Allegedly told her: “Call me ‘master,’ and I’ll come… You’re a good little girl.”
Alleged Pattern of Abuse
- After that first incident, Palmer offered Pavlovich a live-in nanny position.
- Pavlovich alleges repeated assaults including:
- Anal sex using butter as lubricant
- Being forced to lick vomit and feces
- Verbal degradation (“slave,” and “good girl”)
- Rape in the presence of their child
- Gaiman urinating on his hand and demanding she lick it off.
- Choking and striking her with his belt
- Referred to an assault as a “Valentine’s Day Present”
Emotional Control and Coercion
- Pavlovich was allegedly isolated, unpaid, and dependent on the family
- Gaiman’s son allegedly began calling her “slave,” mirroring Gaiman’s language
- When Pavlovich tried to express discomfort, Gaiman messaged her: “Amanda tells me you’re really upset with me… is there anything I can do?”
NDAs and Payments
- Pavlovich later signed an NDA, dated to the first night of her employment, when he had suggested she take a bath in the garden, and received $9,200 in multiple payments.
- In January 2023, she filed a police report in New Zealand. Authorities closed the case due to lack of cooperation from Palmer.
July 2024: Podcast Release
- Master: The Allegations Against Neil Gaiman goes public with five women, including Pavlovich, detailing abuse.
January 13, 2025: Vulture/New York Magazine Cover Story
- Eight women now accuse Gaiman of sexual misconduct.
- Caroline Wallner, Katherine Kendall, and Pavlovich speak on the record.
- Gaiman’s alleged misconduct was described as a “decades-long pattern”.
January 14, 2025: Gaiman Issues Denial
- Releases a public statement denying all allegations.
- Acknowledges some interactions, denies coercion or abuse.
- States: “I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.”
February 3–4, 2025: Federal Lawsuits Filed
- Scarlett Pavlovich files lawsuits in Massachusetts, New York, and Wisconsin.
- Alleges:
- Rape
- Human trafficking
- Assault and battery
- Infliction of emotional distress
- Negligence by Amanda Palmer
- Seeks over $7 million in damages.
Why This Matters
The public may feel disoriented when allegations emerge against someone who has built a reputation as progressive, kind, or “on our side.” But allegations deserve scrutiny — not silence — no matter who is accused. Women who speak up do so under enormous pressure, risking careers, safety, mental health, and reputation.
Too often, society demands women provide perfect victims and perfect memories to be believed. But trauma rarely operates in straight lines. The overwhelming consistency in the allegations against Gaiman — the patterns of coercion, infantilization, violence, power imbalance — must not be ignored.
Believing women does not mean abandoning due process. It means recognizing how power enables abuse, and honoring the courage it takes to speak up.
At therebelle.org, we provide access to the full civil complaints filed by Scarlett Pavlovich in Massachusetts, New York, and Wisconsin.
We strongly urge our readers to review these documents themselves to understand the harrowing detail, the legal seriousness, and the deeply disturbing nature of Gaiman’s alleged conduct. These are not isolated claims. They are part of a comprehensive legal case built on consistent testimony and corroborated trauma.
We want to extend a message of support and solidarity to anyone who has experienced similar pain or injustice. Victims are encouraged to speak up, expose wrongdoing, and report their experiences. Your voice matters — sharing your story can be a powerful step toward healing and accountability.
Therebelle.org welcomes submissions from survivors who wish to make their voices heard. We offer this platform free of charge, ensuring a safe and supportive space for your truth to be shared and respected. You are not alone, and your courage helps build a community committed to justice and change.
Submit your story or inquiry through our contact form or email us at xyz@therebelle.org.
We treat every submission with care, confidentiality, and respect.
If You Are a Survivor of Abuse
You are not alone. There is help.
Please visit RAINN for hotlines and survivor resources available in every U.S. state.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What are the allegations against Neil Gaiman?
A: Gaiman faces multiple lawsuits and allegations of sexual assault, coercion, trafficking, and emotional abuse, primarily from former nanny Scarlett Pavlovich.
Q: Who is Scarlett Pavlovich?
A: A former nanny who has filed federal lawsuits against Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer, alleging rape, coercion, and trafficking while employed by them.
Q: Has Neil Gaiman responded to the allegations?
A: Yes. Gaiman publicly denied the allegations in January 2025, stating that he never engaged in non-consensual activity.
Q: What legal actions are underway?
A: As of February 2025, Pavlovich has filed three federal lawsuits seeking over $7 million in damages, citing human trafficking, rape, and emotional abuse.
Q: Where can I find more information?
A: Listen to the Master podcast and read the Vulture investigation for further details. Full court filings are available at therebelle.org.