Sexual Assault Claims Against ‘Sandman’ Author Explained

Neil Gaiman Allegations: Multiple Women Accuse ‘Sandman’ Author of Sexual Assault

Multiple women have come forward to accuse Neil Gaiman, renowned author of “The Sandman” and “Coraline,” of sexual assault. In a detailed report published by New York Magazine, eight women shared allegations against Gaiman, with four of them having previously spoken in a Tortoise Media podcast titled “Master.” The accusations range from non-consensual BDSM activities to sexual assault.

Key Allegations from the Report

Scarlett Pavlovich’s Account

Scarlett Pavlovich, one of the accusers, alleged that her encounters with Gaiman began in New Zealand, where she was babysitting for Gaiman and his then-wife, Amanda Palmer. She claims Gaiman engaged in inappropriate and non-consensual sexual acts, including assaulting her in a bath and attempting to use butter as a lubricant during another incident.

She also alleges that Gaiman coerced her into degrading acts under the pretense of BDSM, which she says were not consensually agreed upon. Pavlovich later signed an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) and received $9,200 in payments before filing a police report in January 2023. According to police, the case has since been closed.

Caroline’s Experience

Another accuser, identified only as Caroline, worked on Gaiman’s Woodstock, NY, property as a caretaker and babysitter. Caroline claims that Gaiman engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior, including an incident where he allegedly grabbed her hand and placed it on his genitals while his child was in bed with them.

Caroline also signed an NDA after receiving $300,000 as part of a settlement, though Gaiman’s representatives claim she initiated the encounters.

Other Allegations

1. Kendra Stout accused Gaiman of raping her during a trip to the Cornish countryside after she explicitly told him “no.”
2. Katherine Kendall alleges that Gaiman attempted to assault her in his tour bus after she declined his advances. She later received $60,000 from Gaiman for therapy.

Gaiman’s Response

Gaiman has denied all allegations, maintaining that any relationships were consensual. His representatives have emphasized that activities described as BDSM were lawful between consenting adults. They have also refuted specific claims, including the alleged incident in Auckland, calling it “false and deplorable.”

Impact on Gaiman’s Career

Since the allegations surfaced, several of Gaiman’s projects have been affected:

• Season 3 of “Good Omens” on Prime Video will now end with a single 90-minute episode, with Gaiman not involved in the production.
• Disney has paused its adaptation of “The Graveyard Book.”
• Netflix has canceled “Dead Boy Detectives,” though the reason remains unclear.
• Despite the controversy, Netflix’s “The Sandman” Season 2 and Prime Video’s “Anansi Boys” are still slated for release.

What’s Next?

As more voices join the conversation, the allegations against Gaiman have raised questions about boundaries, consent, and accountability within creative industries. Whether further legal or industry repercussions follow remains to be seen.

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