Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler has been accused of sexual misconduct by four people interviewed in a piece published Saturday by Pitchfork.
Three different women, all of whom use pseudonyms in the piece, allege that Butler engaged in inappropriate sexual interactions with them between 2016 and 2020, when they were between 18 and 23 years old and he was between 36 and 39.
One woman, referred to as Stella, says that Butler sent her unwanted sexually explicit photos of himself, and asked for nude photos of her. The two other women, referred to as Sarah and Fiona, claim that Butler demanded that they send him sexually explicit videos of themselves. In Fiona’s case, the interactions led to an in-person sexual encounter.
Sarah and Fiona share that Butler took advantage of the power dynamic inherent in being a famous musician in convincing them to take part in the interactions.
The fourth person interviewed, who uses they/them pronouns and is referred to as Lily, alleges that they were sexually assaulted by Butler twice in 2015. Lily says they were 21 at the time, while Butler was 34.
In a statement to Pitchfork, Butler acknowledges that he had relationships with all four people, which took place during his marriage to longtime partner and Arcade Fire bandmate Régine Chassagne. However, he describes every relationship as being “mutual and always between consenting adults.”
“It is deeply revisionist, and frankly just wrong, for anyone to suggest otherwise,” Butler says. “I have never touched a woman against her will, and any implication that I have is simply false. I vehemently deny any suggestion that I forced myself on a woman or demanded sexual favors. That simply, and unequivocally, never happened.”
He adds, “While these relationships were all consensual, I am very sorry to anyone who I have hurt with my behavior.”
If you are affected by abuse and needing support, or know someone who is, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). You can also chat online at thehotline.org or online.rainn.org, respectively.
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