The main Neil Gaiman lawsuit — three federal civil cases filed by former nanny Scarlett Pavlovich in February 2025 alleging rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking by Gaiman and his estranged wife Amanda Palmer — has been dismissed in all three U.S. courts, with judges ruling the claims belong in New Zealand where the alleged assaults occurred. Pavlovich has appealed the first dismissal, and that appeal is still under consideration at the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Who Sued and What She Alleged
Scarlett Pavlovich is a New Zealand citizen who met Amanda Palmer in Auckland in 2020, when Pavlovich was 22, homeless, and, according to her complaint, “sleeping on the beach.” Palmer invited her to the couple’s home on Waiheke Island and eventually hired her to provide childcare for Gaiman and Palmer’s son. Gaiman and Palmer were estranged at the time and living in separate residences on the island.1NBC News. Neil Gaiman Lawsuit Former Nanny
Her complaint alleges Gaiman first sexually assaulted her on February 4, 2022, while she was bathing at his home. According to the filing, Gaiman entered the bath, forced his fingers into her rectum, made her perform oral sex, and ejaculated on her face. The complaint describes two additional alleged rapes over the following weeks, including one at an Auckland hotel on February 19, 2022, said to have occurred while Gaiman’s child was in the room. Pavlovich alleges Gaiman used physical force, including choking and striking her with a belt, and repeatedly called her “slave.”2Courthouse News Service. Pavlovich v. Palmer Complaint (S.D.N.Y.)
She says she endured the abuse because she feared losing her job, her housing, and promises of career support, describing herself as the couple’s “economic hostage” and alleging that neither paid her for her work.3NPR. Neil Gaiman Nanny Rape Human Trafficking Lawsuit The assaults stopped, she alleges, only after she threatened self-harm and was hospitalized.1NBC News. Neil Gaiman Lawsuit Former Nanny
The complaints also targeted Palmer, alleging she “procured and presented” Pavlovich to Gaiman, knew about his history of alleged sexual misconduct and Pavlovich’s mental health challenges, and failed to warn her. According to the lawsuits, when Pavlovich reported the assaults to Palmer, Palmer said more than a dozen women had previously raised similar concerns about Gaiman.4The Guardian. Amanda Palmer, Neil Gaiman’s Former Partner, Denies Claims of Human Trafficking
The Three Federal Filings
On February 3, 2025, Pavlovich filed three civil lawsuits in U.S. federal courts: one against Gaiman and Palmer in the Western District of Wisconsin, one against Palmer in the District of Massachusetts, and one against Palmer in the Southern District of New York.5WMTV (NBC15). Woman’s Lawsuits Say Sci-Fi Author Neil Gaiman Repeatedly Sexually Assaulted Her The suits alleged violations of federal human trafficking prohibitions along with state-law claims of assault, battery, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. She sought at least $7 million in damages.6The Guardian. Neil Gaiman Accuser Files Civil Lawsuit Rape Sexual Assault Allegations
Why All Three Were Dismissed
Every one of the lawsuits was dismissed on the doctrine of forum non conveniens — the principle that a court can decline to hear a case better suited to another jurisdiction.
The Wisconsin case fell first. In October 2025, U.S. District Judge James Peterson granted Gaiman’s motion to dismiss, ruling the case had no meaningful connection to Wisconsin, that witnesses and evidence sat in New Zealand and beyond the reach of U.S. subpoenas, and that New Zealand courts offered an adequate alternative forum. Peterson wrote that jurors in Wisconsin would be “scratching their heads about how and why they were being asked to decide a dispute regarding such far away events that have nothing to do with them.”7Courthouse News Service. Author Neil Gaiman Evades Wisconsin Sexual Assault Case8Mass Lawyers Weekly. Pavlovich v. Palmer, Memorandum and Order
In February 2026, U.S. District Judge Nathaniel Gorton dismissed the Massachusetts suit against Palmer on the same reasoning. Gorton rejected Pavlovich’s argument that New Zealand’s Accident Compensation scheme made it an inadequate forum, noting that New Zealand law allows claims for exemplary damages and that Pavlovich had already received government-sponsored therapy there. He also ruled that the civil-remedy provision of the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act does not apply extraterritorially, citing the Supreme Court’s decision in RJR Nabisco v. European Community.8Mass Lawyers Weekly. Pavlovich v. Palmer, Memorandum and Order
In June 2026, U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil granted a request to drop the New York lawsuit against Palmer, closing out the third case.9Hartford Courant. Gaiman Sexual Assault Lawsuits
The Pending Seventh Circuit Appeal
Pavlovich appealed the Wisconsin dismissal to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in October 2025. Oral argument was heard on April 8, 2026, before Circuit Judges Michael Y. Scudder, Amy J. St. Eve, and Joshua P. Kolar. As of mid-2026 the case remains under advisement, with no ruling issued.10CourtListener. Scarlett Pavlovich v. Neil Gaiman, No. 25-2754
What Sending the Case to New Zealand Means
Pavlovich filed a police report in New Zealand in late 2022. New Zealand police investigated and declined to prosecute, citing insufficient evidence, and the case was closed by mid-2024.11Newsroom NZ. Is NZ the Right Forum to Rule on Sexual Assault Allegations Against Neil Gaiman12Variety. Neil Gaiman Scarlett Pavlovich Text Messages Pavlovich alleged in her complaint that the investigation stalled because Palmer refused to cooperate with police.1NBC News. Neil Gaiman Lawsuit Former Nanny Gaiman’s attorneys have characterized the outcome as police finding the allegations “meritless.”13The Guardian. US Judges Lawsuits Neil Gaiman No criminal charges have been filed against Gaiman in any jurisdiction.
Refiling in New Zealand carries a structural obstacle. The country’s accident compensation system generally bars civil lawsuits for personal injury in favor of a no-fault compensation scheme. Legal analysis published in Newsroom NZ indicates Pavlovich’s likely remaining civil option would be a claim for exemplary damages, which requires proving “truly outrageous conduct” and has historically produced awards below $50,000.11Newsroom NZ. Is NZ the Right Forum to Rule on Sexual Assault Allegations Against Neil Gaiman
Gaiman’s and Palmer’s Denials
Gaiman broke his public silence on January 14, 2025, in a post on his website. He wrote that the relationships with the women who have accused him were “entirely consensual” and stated: “I’m far from a perfect person, but I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.” He acknowledged being “emotionally unavailable while being sexually available, self-focused and not as thoughtful as I could or should have been,” but said he did not accept “there was any abuse.”14New York Times. Neil Gaiman Responds to Sexual Assault Allegations
In a court declaration accompanying his motion to dismiss the Wisconsin lawsuit, Gaiman denied Pavlovich’s claims and called her “a fantasist who has fabricated a tale of abuse.” He acknowledged the two bathed together and “engaged in consensual sexual activity” but denied intercourse and denied the encounters were nonconsensual. His lawyers attached WhatsApp messages from February 2022 in which Pavlovich described the encounters as “consensual (and wonderful).”12Variety. Neil Gaiman Scarlett Pavlovich Text Messages
In February 2026, Gaiman posted a broader statement on Bluesky calling the allegations a “smear campaign” and saying he was “astonished” that “actual evidence was dismissed or ignored.” He claimed there are “emails, text messages and video evidence that flatly contradict” the accusations.15Rolling Stone. Neil Gaiman Denies Sexual Misconduct Allegations Statement He hired crisis management firm Edendale Strategies and retained attorney Andrew Brettler, who has previously represented Danny Masterson and Prince Andrew.16NPR. Neil Gaiman Response Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Palmer denied the allegations against her in an Instagram post on February 7, 2025, writing: “I will not respond to the specific allegations being made against me except to say that I deny the allegations and will respond in due course.” She added, “My heart goes out to all survivors,” and asked for privacy to protect her child. A representative told NME that Palmer was “profoundly disturbed” by the allegations against Gaiman.4The Guardian. Amanda Palmer, Neil Gaiman’s Former Partner, Denies Claims of Human Trafficking
The Wider Set of Accusations
Pavlovich’s suits are the most prominent legal action, but they sit inside a broader set of allegations. Since a Tortoise Media podcast first reported accounts from two women in July 2024, eight women have publicly accused Gaiman of sexual assault, abuse, or coercion.17Tortoise Media. Exclusive: Neil Gaiman Accused of Sexual Assault In January 2025, New York magazine published a cover story titled “There Is No Safe Word” featuring accounts from all eight, six on the record.18The Guardian. Neil Gaiman Denies Sexual Assault Allegations in New York Magazine Gaiman has denied every allegation.
Fallout Across His Projects
The allegations have reshaped Gaiman’s professional slate. Dark Horse Comics dropped him entirely, cancelling the Anansi Boys comic series and its collected volume, and stated it “takes seriously the allegations against Neil Gaiman.”19BBC. Neil Gaiman Allegations Professional Consequences DC Comics pulled a planned reprint of The Sandman from its schedule. A stage adaptation of Coraline scheduled for Leeds Playhouse in April 2025 was cancelled, and Disney paused its film adaptation of The Graveyard Book.20Indian Express. Neil Gaiman Sexual Assault Allegations Response Controversy Explained
The final season of Good Omens on Prime Video was cut from a full season to a single 90-minute episode. Gaiman contributed to the writing but did not work on production, and his production company, Blank Corporation, was not involved. The episode, directed by Rachel Talalay and starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant, debuted on May 13, 2026.21Radio Times. Good Omens Season 3 Release Date Netflix’s The Sandman will conclude with its second season, and Dead Boy Detectives was cancelled after one season in August 2024.22Variety. The Sandman Canceled Neil Gaiman Netflix Season 2