Arcade Fire Frontman Win Butler Responds To Sexual Misconduct Accusations Made Against Him By Multiple People

Four people have accused Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler of sexual misconduct.

Three women came forward saying Fork that they felt the incidents with Butler were « inappropriate given the age gaps, the power dynamics and the context in which they occurred. » The fourth person, who is gender fluid, claimed to have been sexually assaulted twice by the lead singer.

The victims were all dedicated fans of the Canadian indie rock band when the encounters took place between 2015 and 2020. They were between 18 and 23 when each of their interactions began with Butler, who was between 36 and 39 at the time. ‘era.

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Butler has since responded to the allegations in a lengthy statement, saying he engaged in « consensual relationships outside of [his] marriage” to his wife and teammate Régine Chassagne.

“I love Régine with all my heart. We have been together for twenty years, she is my partner in music and in life, my soul mate and I am lucky and grateful to have her by my side. But sometimes it’s been difficult to balance being the father, husband, and bandmate that I want to be. Today I want to clarify my life, my lack of judgment and the mistakes I made,” his statement began.

« I’ve had consensual relationships outside of my marriage, » he continued.

« There’s no easy way to say this, and the hardest thing I’ve ever done is share this with my son. The majority of those relationships have been short-lived, and my wife is one of them conscious — our marriage has, in the past, been less conventional than some, » he said. « I’ve connected with people in person, at shows, and through social media, and I’ve shared messages of which I am not proud. More importantly, each of these interactions was mutual and always between consenting adults. It is profoundly revisionist, and frankly simply wrong, for anyone to suggest otherwise.

Butler goes on to say that he “has never touched a woman against her will, and any involvement I have is just plain wrong. I vehemently deny any suggestion that I forced myself on a woman or demanded sexual favors. This, simply and unequivocally, never happened.

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He adds that “the relationship was all consensual” and that he is “very sorry to everyone I hurt through my behavior. Life is filled with tremendous pain and mistakes, and I never want to help cause anyone else’s pain.

In her statement, Butler talks about her long struggle with mental health issues and « the ghosts of childhood abuse. »

“In my thirties, I started drinking while suffering from the most severe depression of my life after our family had a miscarriage,” he explained. « None of this is meant to excuse my behavior, but I want to give some context and share what was going on in my life at that time… »

« I say to all of my friends, family, anyone I’ve hurt and people who love my music who are shocked and disappointed by this report: I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused – I’m sorry for not being more aware and tuned in to the effect I have on people – I screwed up, and while that’s no excuse, I’ll keep looking up forward and heal what can be healed, and learn from past experiences. I can do better and I will do better, » he said.

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Chassagne, who married Butler in 2003, has also spoken out about the incident.

« Win is my soul mate, my songwriting partner, my husband, the father of my beautiful boy. He has been my partner in life and in music for 20 years. And for all the love in our lives , I also saw him in immense pain,” she shared.

« I supported him because I know he’s a good man who cares about this world, our band, his fans, his friends and our family, » the singer and multi-instrumentalist continued. “I’ve known Win since before we were ‘famous’, when we were just regular college students. I know what’s in his heart, and I know he has never and never would touch a woman without her consent and I’m sure he never has. He lost his way and he found his way. I love him and I love the life we’ve created together.