Multiple women have come forward with allegations of sexual assault against Neil Gaiman, the acclaimed author of “The Sandman” and “Coraline,” in a feature published by New York Magazine. In the cover story titled “There Is No Safe Word,” journalist Lila Shapiro investigates the testimonies of eight women, highlighting their disturbing encounters with Gaiman.
This coverage builds upon a previous report by Tortoise Media, which had initially revealed accusations from two women and released a podcast detailing the allegations of five women. The New York Magazine piece includes some of these women, who, for various reasons, had previously opted to remain anonymous or use pseudonyms.
Among the women is Scarlett Pavlovich, who describes her unsettling experiences with Gaiman while babysitting for his family. She alleges that during one encounter, Gaiman joined her naked in a bath and sexually assaulted her despite her objections. This incident was marked by manipulative and degrading behavior, with Gaiman allegedly demanding she address him as “master,” and subjecting her to additional humiliation.
Another accuser, Caroline, shared her experiences of inappropriate conduct while working as a caretaker on Gaiman’s property. She recounted a specific incident where Gaiman allegedly crossed boundaries while she was in bed with his son, grabbing her hand and placing it on his genitals.
Kendra Stout, who first met Gaiman as a teenager, detailed a physical relationship with him that she later describes as rape during a trip years later. Katherine Kendall described a similar experience when Gaiman attempted to assault her after she made it clear she was not interested in sex.
Gaiman has denied these allegations, asserting that all interactions were consensual. His representatives characterized the claims as false and have maintained that any sexual conduct was within the bounds of mutual consent, a claim that the women contest. Many of the accusers have noted that they were initially compliant to Gaiman’s demands due to the complex dynamics of power and manipulation present in their encounters.
The fallout from these allegations has already had an impact on Gaiman’s ongoing and upcoming projects. Production on major works such as Disney’s adaptation of “The Graveyard Book” and Netflix’s “Dead Boy Detectives” has been paused, while “Good Omens” season three will conclude without Gaiman’s involvement. Despite this turmoil, “The Sandman” Season 2 is still anticipated to release this year.
This troubling situation exemplifies the complexity surrounding consent and power dynamics in relationships, particularly within the creative industries. It underscores the importance of fostering safe environments where individuals feel empowered to share their experiences without fear of retribution. Through this dialogue, there is hope for greater accountability and a culture shift towards respect and integrity in all spheres of life.