Arcade Hearth’s Win Butler Denies Sexual Misconduct Claims: Particulars

Win Butler, the lead singer of Arcade Fire, has been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women.

In keeping with an in depth report printed by Pitchfork on Saturday, August 27, the 42-year-old musician allegedly engaged in “inappropriate” relationships with three separate girls, given their differences in age and energy dynamics. A fourth alleged sufferer, who identifies as gender-fluid, claimed that Butler sexually assaulted them twice in 2015.

A spokesperson for the “Able to Begin ” singer, disaster public relations professional Risa Heller, instructed the outlet that Butler admitted that every sexual interplay was mutual however was not initiated by the musical artist.

“I’ve had consensual relationships outside of my marriage,” Butler instructed Pitchfork in an announcement on Saturday. “There isn’t any straightforward strategy to say this, and the toughest factor I’ve ever accomplished is having to share this with my son. The vast majority of these relationships have been short-lived, and my spouse [Régine Chassagne] is conscious – our marriage has, previously, been more unconventional than some. … Each single one in every of these interactions has been mutual and all the time between consenting adults. It’s deeply revisionist, and albeit simply mistaken, for anybody to recommend in any other case.”

The alleged victims who got here ahead instructed Pitchfork that they have been each passionate Arcade Fire fans and claimed they’d exchanged inappropriate messages with Butler earlier than assembly in particular person.

The California native, for his half, famous through his assertion that he has “by no means touched a girl in opposition to her will,” refuting the allegations. “I vehemently deny any suggestion that I pressured myself on a girl or demanded sexual favors,” he stated. “That merely, and unequivocally, by no means occurred. Whereas these relationships have been all consensual, I’m very sorry to anybody who I’ve damage with my conduct. Life is stuffed with large ache and error, and I by no means need to be a part of inflicting another person’s ache.”

Butler wed the 46-year-old Canadian singer — with whom he shares 9-year-old son Edwin — in 2003.

“I like Régine with all of my coronary heart. We have been together for twenty years, she is my accomplice in music and in life, my soulmate and I’m fortunate and grateful to have her by my facet,” he continued in his assertion. “However at occasions, it has been troublesome to steadiness being the daddy, husband and bandmate that I need to be. At the moment I need to clear the air about my life, poor judgment and errors I’ve made.”

He added: “Whereas these relationships have been all consensual, I’m very sorry to anybody who I’ve damage with my conduct. As I look to the longer term, I’m persevering with to be taught from my errors and dealing onerous to turn out to be a greater particular person, somebody my son might be happy with. … I’m sorry I wasn’t extra conscious and tuned in to the impact I’ve on individuals — I f—ked up, and whereas not an excuse, I’ll proceed to look ahead and heal what might be healed, and be taught from previous experiences.”

Chassagne, through Heller, additionally spoke out on her partner’s behalf.

“Win is my soulmate, my songwriting accomplice, my husband, the daddy of my stunning boy,” the pianist — who cofounded Arcade Hearth alongside Butler, Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury and Jeremy Gara — stated in an announcement to Pitchfork, which was printed on Saturday. “He has been my accomplice in life and in music for 20 years. And for the entire love in our lives, I’ve additionally watched him undergo by immense ache. I’ve stood by him as a result of I do know he is an effective man who cares about this world, our band, his followers, pals and our household.”

She added: “I do know what’s in his coronary heart, and I do know he has by no means, and would by no means, contact a girl with out her consent, and I’m sure he by no means did. He has misplaced his means and he has discovered his means again. I like him and love the life we’ve created collectively.”

When you or anybody you understand has been sexually abused, name the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A educated employees member will present confidential, judgment-free assist in addition to native sources to help in therapeutic, recovering and extra.