In a shocking revelation, multiple women have accused acclaimed British author Neil Gaiman, known for works like “The Sandman” and “Coraline,” of sexual assault in a cover story from New York Magazine. In the article titled “There Is No Safe Word,” journalist Lila Shapiro documents the experiences of eight women who share harrowing accounts of the author’s behavior.
This story follows a prior report from Tortoise Media, which in July revealed allegations from two women and launched a podcast titled “Master” that explored the experiences of five accusers. While some women chose to use only their first names or pseudonyms to protect their identities, the New York Magazine article provides a level of corroboration that many anticipated from a story of this magnitude.
Among the accusers is Scarlett Pavlovich, who recounts a chilling encounter with Gaiman when she was 22 years old. Pavlovich met Gaiman’s ex-wife, Amanda Palmer, in New Zealand and was later invited to care for their child. During a visit to Gaiman’s home, she claims he invited her to a bath and then joined her naked, where he allegedly assaulted her. Pavlovich describes disturbing details of the incident, in which Gaiman purportedly exerted extreme power dynamics over her.
Throughout the time Pavlovich babysat for the family, she alleges that the assaults continued. In a chilling assertion, she recalls that Gaiman called her “slave” and forced her to “clean him up,” to which she protested.
Gaiman’s representatives have stated that all relationships were consensual, arguing that “sexual degradation, bondage, domination, and sadism are legal among consenting adults.” However, the women’s testimonies suggest that clear agreements on consent for the BDSM activities that took place were absent.
Other women sharing their stories in the article include “Caroline,” whose relationship with Gaiman was marked by moments of intense discomfort and coercion, and Kendra Stout, who alleges that Gaiman raped her after she had rejected his advances. Katherine Kendall also made statements about an attempted assault on a bus during a tour.
The allegations have significantly impacted Gaiman’s career. Since these claims began to surface, several of his film and television projects have been altered; the third season of “Good Omens” will now consist of one 90-minute episode without Gaiman’s involvement, while Disney has paused the production of “The Graveyard Book.” However, “The Sandman” and “Anansi Boys” remain scheduled for release in 2023.
As the allegations continue to spark widespread debate about consent culture and abuse within the entertainment industry, many hope that the testimonies of these women will drive significant change in how these issues are addressed in the future.
