Alice Glass Has Accused Her Former Crystal Castles Bandmate Of Rape And Assault
“He forced me to have sex with him."
This post discusses sexual assault.
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Alice Glass has accused her former Crystal Castles bandmate Ethan Kath (real name Claudio Palmieri) of rape and assault in a powerful statement about why she departed the band in 2014.
In lengthy post on her website, Glass has detailed the alleged abuse she suffered at the hands of Palmieri during her time in Crystal Castles, which ranged from controlling behaviour to rape and violent physical abuse.
“Claudio was very manipulative towards me. He figured out my insecurities and exploited them: he used the things he learned about me against me,” she wrote.
“Over a period of many months, he gave me drugs and alcohol and had sex with me in an abandoned room at an apartment he managed. It wasn’t always consensual and he remained sober whenever we were together.”
Glass has also alleged that Palmieri created a “toxic environment” in Crystal Castles and belittled her contributions to the group’s music.
“While recording our first EP, the recording engineer sexually harassed me while we were in the studio. Claudio laughed at me and pressured me to go along with it. He called our first single ‘Alice Practice’ and said my vocals were a mic test. He concocted that story and told press it was an “accidental” recording, intentionally diminishing my role in its creation. It was another way of putting me down and preying on my insecurities.”
Glass said she was inspired by the “momentum” of the past couple of weeks to speak directly about her alleged experience. “This is for my own recovery, for the other women who have been, are currently, or may be in a similar situation,” she wrote.
She’s not the first high-profile to figure to speak out about sexual assault this month. Since the New York Times published their bombshell story detailing “decades of sexual harassment allegations” against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, actors like Rose McGowan, Gwenyth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie have accused the former Miramax executive of assault, while thousands of women have spoken out about their own experiences of rape, assault and harassment with the hashtag #MeToo.
Last week DJ and producer The Gaslamp Killer was removed from festival line-ups after Twitter user @chelseaelaynne accused him of rape; this week photographer Terry Richardson was blacklisted by publishing giant Conde Nast after years of harassment allegations.
Plamieri has denied Glass’ accusations in a statement provided to Pitchfork. “I am outraged and hurt by the recent statements made by Alice about me and our prior relationship,” he said. “Her story is pure fiction and I am consulting my lawyers as to my legal options. Fortunately, there are many witnesses who can and will confirm that I was never abusive to Alice.”
Read the full statement from Alice Glass here.
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If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.