• A former nanny, Scarlett Pavlovich, has filed multiple lawsuits against writer Neil Gaiman and his estranged wife Amanda Palmer.
• Pavlovich accuses Gaiman of repeatedly sexually assaulting her while working as the couple's nanny.
• The lawsuits allege violations of federal human trafficking laws, seeking at least $7 million in damages.

A woman from New Zealand has filed several civil lawsuits against best-selling author Neil Gaiman and his estranged wife, Amanda Palmer, alleging serious accusations including sexual assault and human trafficking during her time as their nanny. The civil suits, filed in federal courts in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York, were initiated by Scarlett Pavlovich, who claims that Gaiman sexually assaulted her repeatedly while she worked in their household in 2022. Pavlovich, who was 22 and homeless when she met Palmer in Auckland, alleges that she was invited to work for the couple but endured numerous sexual assaults throughout her employment.

According to court filings, Pavlovich asserts that the couple knowingly exploited her vulnerable situation, coercing her into sexual acts and free childcare, leaving her in a state of economic dependency. The lawsuits allege that Gaiman began abusing her the very night they met, and the assaults continued up until she had to leave the employment due to the overwhelming distress, which included threats to her safety and mental health. Gaiman has categorically denied all allegations of non-consensual sexual activity, stating in a January blog post, "I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever."

The legal complaints highlight that Palmer allegedly had previous knowledge of Gaiman's misconduct, claiming she was informed by other women about similar abuses. Some reports suggest that prior allegations against Gaiman date back as far as 2007 and were corroborated by testimony from multiple women in a series of media publications, including a January article in New York Magazine and a podcast series by Tortoise Media.

Additionally, after these allegations became public, collaborations and adaptations of Gaiman's works experienced notable repercussions. Dark Horse Comics announced it would halt future publications of his works, while adaptations of his novels and stories, such as The Sandman and Disney's adaptation of The Graveyard Book, were either paused or canceled amid the controversy.

Pavlovich is seeking compensation for emotional, physical, and psychological damages, as well as punitive damages for the distress she has allegedly experienced. The unfolding lawsuits against Gaiman and Palmer have turned significant scrutiny on both the author’s and the musician's pasts, drawing attention to the treatment of vulnerable individuals in the employment context.

The ongoing legal proceedings have captured widespread media attention, and further details may emerge as the case progresses through the courts.

For more information, refer to original reports from AP News, CBS News, and NBC News.