Neil Gaiman’s ex-wife, Amanda Palmer, denies human trafficking allegations
Amanda Palmer, the ex-wife of Neil Gaiman, is denying allegations of human trafficking and negligence that the couple’s former nanny has made in a new lawsuit.
In January, New York Magazine published an explosive report in which eight women alleged that Gaiman had sexually assaulted them. In February, Scarlett Pavlovich, who worked as a nanny for the family and whose account is featured heavily in the article, filed a lawsuit that accused the Good Omens author of repeated rape and sexual assault, and Palmer of “procuring and presenting” her to Gaiman for the abuse. The couple was married in 2015 and separated in 2022.
Now, Palmer is responding to the suit. In an Instagram post on February 7th, the Dresden Dolls singer thanked fans for respecting her requests for privacy during “this extremely difficult moment,” and wrote, “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 that her “heart goes out to all survivors.”
In the New York Magazine piece, Pavlovich detailed how she had become friends with Palmer and been offered work as a nanny. During her first meeting with Gaiman, she alleged that he poured a glass of wine for her while he drank water, pressured her to take a bath, and then assaulted her.
The lawsuit, obtained by Deadline, also claims that the couple intentionally withheld pay during “a three-week indenture” to keep her “trapped, vulnerable, and penniless,” knowing that she was “broke and homeless.”
Pavlovich claims that when she told Palmer about Gaiman’s assaults, the singer revealed that other women had come forward with similar stories. This specific allegation is key to her case that Palmer “knowingly approached and procured” her services with “reckless disregard for the fact that Gaiman would force Scarlett to engage in commercial sex acts” with him.
After the allegations came to light, many of the author’s ongoing film, television, and stage projects were scrapped, and he was dropped by his publisher. He has denied all of the allegations.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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