Content Warning: This article discusses sexual assault, and rape. If you or someone you know are affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Former Of Mice & Men and Attack Attack! vocalist Austin Carlile has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women. In addition to the accusations against Carlile, the publication Alternative Press has been criticised for burying a story about the accusations, after running a different story about Carlile finding Jesus earlier in the week.
One of the alleged victims, Caitlin Stiffler, took to Facebook to share a lengthy statement detailing the alleged assaults and lambasting Alternative Press for failing to report over fifteen stories that had been brought to the publication regarding Carlile’s alleged indiscretions
“He not only raped girls, probably more than anyone even knows about, he was a predator seeking out underage girls by using his position in the music industry to do so,” she wrote. “He threatened you [Alternative Press] with a lawsuit and you backed down. I get it, who would want to be involved in that when you could just… not,” Stiffler wrote.
Stiffler’s accusations were backed up by her husband, who took to Twitter to real that a few years back he coordinated with victims to be interviewed by the publication.
“A few years back, realizing the extent of the damage done, I organized a group of women (MANY) who had been raped or sexually assaulted by @austincarlile over the years to be interviewed by @AltPress. I knew him personally, I worked in the scene & I married one of his victims,” Jonathan Stiffler wrote in a tweet.
Megan Thompson, a prominent photographer shared a screenshot of Caitlyn’s post, adding, “[Alternative Press] took statements from MULTIPLE friends like the one below and killed the story. I worked with this band when he was in it, and ‘finding Jesus’ doesn’t make up for how he treated everyone. Stop giving him a platform if you’re not going to believe these women.”
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A few years back, realizing the extent of the damage done, I organized a group of women (MANY) who had been raped or sexually assaulted by @austincarlile over the years to be interviewed by @AltPress. I knew him personally, I worked in the scene & I married one of his victims.
— Jonathan Stiffler (@jdstiffler) June 8, 2020
In a post shared by Under The Gun back in 2010, Attack! Attack!’s drummer Andrew Wetzel allegedly referenced Austin Carlile engaging in sexual acts with underage girls.
“I can sit here all day and name off under age girls that he’s slept with, people he’s screwed over, stolen from, lied to, and used for his own selfish purposes.”
The original blog post has since been taken down following Attack! Attack! but the transcript is available to read.
Carlile left Of Mice & Men in December 2016 citing that a long-term health condition as a catalyst for his exit. The band have taken to social media to share a statement, condemning sexual violence and harassment and emphasising that the band and the team around them had no part in suppressing the allegations made against the former vocalist.
— Of Mice & Men (@OMandM) June 9, 2020
Alternative Press has since issued a statement responding to the allegations that they buried the story. “For legal purposes regarding the Austin Carlile accusations, the story couldn’t run as it was told,” the publication shared on Twitter. “As a female-led, lgbtq+ editorial staff, we’re going to reopen this & find the answers you’re looking for. We do not condone any of the accusations & this story WILL be heard.
