The Vulture Article And Neil Gaiman: 5 Key Facts About The Controversial Allegations And Latest Lawsuit Dismissal

The controversy surrounding celebrated author Neil Gaiman reached a critical new stage in late 2025, following a major legal development in a sexual assault and human trafficking lawsuit that stemmed from a shocking Vulture investigative article. This legal update brings a fresh perspective to the serious allegations first detailed in the explosive Vulture report, which sent shockwaves through the literary and pop culture worlds. The original Vulture piece, titled "There Is No Safe Word," presented a deeply reported account of alleged sexual misconduct and abuse spanning decades, putting the author of beloved works like *The Sandman* and *Good Omens* under intense scrutiny. The article, published by *Vulture* magazine, the culture section of *New York* magazine, was the result of an extensive investigation by reporter Lila Shapiro. It detailed claims from multiple women, including a former nanny, who accused Gaiman of various forms of exploitation and assault. While Gaiman publicly responded to the allegations on his blog, acknowledging some of the situations, the legal battle that followed became the focal point of the ongoing public discourse and the latest news in this complex, evolving story.

Neil Gaiman: A Brief Biography and Career Profile

Neil Richard MacKinnon Gaiman is one of the most celebrated and influential fantasy authors of his generation, known for his distinctive blend of mythology, folklore, and dark fantasy.

• Full Name: Neil Richard MacKinnon Gaiman
• Born: November 10, 1960
• Birthplace: Portchester, Hampshire, England
• Nationality: British
• Occupation: Author, Screenwriter, Comic Book Writer
• Notable Works: *The Sandman* (comic series), *Good Omens* (co-authored with Terry Pratchett), *American Gods*, *Coraline*, *Stardust*, *The Ocean at the End of the Lane*, *Neverwhere*.
• Awards: Multiple Eisner Awards, Hugo Awards, Nebula Awards, and a Newbery Medal.
• Marital Status: Separated from his second wife, musician Amanda Palmer.
• Current Projects: Executive Producer and writer for television adaptations of *The Sandman* (Netflix) and *Good Omens* (Amazon Prime Video).

The Vulture Exposé: 'There Is No Safe Word' and the Core Allegations

The original Vulture article, published in 2024, was a long-form, 10,000-word investigative feature penned by journalist Lila Shapiro. It was titled "There Is No Safe Word: How the best-selling fantasy author Neil Gaiman hid the darkest parts of himself." The piece included on-the-record accounts from multiple women detailing alleged experiences of sexual misconduct and abuse by Gaiman. The report detailed a pattern of alleged behavior that some accusers claimed was exploitative and manipulative, often leveraging Gaiman's position of power and fame within the fantasy and literary communities. The article specifically highlighted the story of Scarlett Pavlovich, a former nanny for Gaiman and his estranged wife, Amanda Palmer, who later filed a lawsuit against the author.

The Lawsuit and the Human Trafficking Claim

Scarlett Pavlovich’s lawsuit, filed in early 2025, was a direct legal extension of the allegations brought forth in the Vulture article. The suit was filed in a Wisconsin federal court and contained serious accusations beyond sexual assault, including claims of human trafficking. Pavlovich alleged repeated and brutal sexual assault while she was employed as a nanny for the couple in 2022. The lawsuit drew significant attention not only because of the prominence of Gaiman but also due to the severity of the human trafficking claim, which suggested a pattern of exploitation under the guise of employment. Gaiman, through his representatives, denied the allegations and sought to have the case dismissed.

The Crucial 2025 Legal Update: Lawsuit Dismissal Explained

The most recent and critical development in this ongoing saga occurred in late 2025 when a federal judge in Wisconsin dismissed the sexual assault and human trafficking lawsuit filed by Scarlett Pavlovich against Neil Gaiman. This news provided a major update for those following the Vulture article's aftermath. The dismissal, however, was not a ruling on the merits of the case—meaning the judge did not determine whether the allegations were true or false. Instead, U.S. District Judge William M. Peterson dismissed the case on a technicality: lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

Why the Case Was Dismissed: A Jurisdictional Issue

The judge’s decision was based on the finding that the Wisconsin federal court was not the proper venue for the legal proceedings. The core argument for dismissal centered on the fact that the alleged incidents of sexual assault and abuse occurred while both Gaiman and the plaintiff were residing in New Zealand. The court determined that the claims had a stronger connection to New Zealand, and therefore, the case should be pursued in the New Zealand legal system. The dismissal effectively sends the legal battle to a different international jurisdiction, leaving the underlying allegations unresolved in the United States court system.

Neil Gaiman's Public Response and the Fallout

Following the publication of the Vulture article, Neil Gaiman issued a public response via his personal blog. He admitted that he recognized some of the situations described in the report. His statement was highly scrutinized, with many commentators noting that while he expressed regret, the response did not directly address or deny the more serious allegations of sexual assault. The fallout from the Vulture article and the subsequent lawsuit has had a palpable impact on Gaiman’s public image and his professional relationships.

• Impact on Relationships: The report brought renewed attention to his separation from musician Amanda Palmer, with whom he has a child. The lawsuit also named Palmer in some capacity, though the primary claims were against Gaiman.
• Public Perception: For many fans of *The Sandman* and *Good Omens*, the Vulture investigation forced a difficult separation between the beloved works of fantasy and the serious allegations against their creator.
• Ongoing Legal Status: Despite the dismissal in the US, the claims are not over. The plaintiff, Scarlett Pavlovich, now has the option to refile the lawsuit in New Zealand, making this a story with a definite international dimension and a potential for future legal developments.

This complex situation highlights the growing trend of media investigations bringing serious allegations against powerful figures to light, even when the legal outcomes are complicated by jurisdictional challenges. The Vulture article remains a significant piece of journalism that continues to shape the public and critical perception of one of the world's most famous fantasy authors. The ultimate resolution of the claims, however, now rests with the legal system in a different hemisphere.