CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses sexual assault, as well as emotional abuse and manipulation.

Pop culture magazine Alternative Press came under-fire yesterday afternoon after publishing an interview with former Of Mice & Men vocalist, Austin Carlile.

Immediately following the article’s subsequent Twitter announcement, industry professional Jonathan Stiffler took to his own Twitter account to share that just a few years prior to this post, Alt Press had been preparing an article denouncing Carlile for sexual assault allegations, but killed the story after legal pressure from the singer.

“A few years back, realizing the extent of damage done, I organized a group of women (MANY) who had been raped or sexually assaulted by Austin Carlile over the years to be interviewed by Alt Press,” Stiffler wrote.

“These women sat & told Alt Press in gruesome detail their accounts of rape at his hands. There were so many victims,” he continued. “After months of interviewing victims and putting together the story, right before it was going to run- Alt press killed it because they were open to being sued by Austin and his lawyers.”

In addition to Stiffler’s post, several women spoke out supporting the allegations, including his wife Caitlyn, who published a full statement on Instagram along with an edited version of Alt Press’ original headline.

View this post on Instagram

I originally shared this in my stories & on Facebook, but I don’t want it to disappear. I want anyone who needs to see this to see it. Dear @altpress, Remember when over 15 girls shared their stories with you about this serial rapist? Because I do. I was one of them. Now you want to not only share HIS nonsense, but you want to put his name next to Jesus? No, just, no. It’s not okay. The alternative community has followed you for YEARS. I followed your stories so closely all through high school and watched my artist friends be featured by your magazine. To be contacted by you to share my story, in hopes that it wouldn’t keep happening to other girls, felt like a dream. Finally there was something I could do, considering I was told by law enforcement that there was nothing else I could hope for with no physical evidence. I never thought anyone would believe me or take this seriously, then there was your magazine asking us to share. 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. He threatened you with a lawsuit and you backed down. I get it, who would want to be involved in that when you could just… not. That was your choice, a choice none of us had. We can’t just let it go and forget. I for one had hoped that you would at the very least stop featuring him. Guess I was wrong to hope that. He needs CANCELLED. Get him out of these kids’ faces who believe he’s a good person deserving of recognition. #cancelaustincarlile #austincarlile If you feel comfortable, please share this. Girls need to know what he’s capable of doing. He can’t hide from this forever and I can’t stand by anymore wondering if he’s out there doing this to anyone else.

A post shared by Caitlyn Stiffler (@caitlynstiffler) on Jun 8, 2020 at 3:24pm PDT

In her statement, Stiffler announcing that Carlile not only sought out women to assault, but specifically underage girls by “using his position in the music industry.”

In a show of support, photographer/director Megan Thompson shared Caitlyn’s post on Twitter, along with her own testament to Carlile’s behavior.

Mikayla Davis, an ex-Alt Press employee also spoke out, retweeting a post she made back in January about Alt Press burying the article, in addition to sharing her personal thoughts about being forced to “relive one of [her] most traumatic experiences for NOTHING.”

After the survivors and fellow alternative music community members who shared the news on their own pages (including influential accounts Fleur Shomo and @LickNord) amassed a combined several thousand shares/likes, the publication removed the article from their website and issued the following statement:

“For legal purposes regarding the Austin Carlile accusations, the story couldn’t run as it was told,” the post read. “We do not condone any of the accusations & this story WILL be heard.”

This news comes in the middle of the Black Lives Matter movement, which has caused the publication to speak out in their support of minorities via their social media accounts- something Davis points out as hypocritical.

This is not the first time the publication has received backlash for supporting artists who have had allegations made against them or have a history of racially insensitive behavior.

Earlier this year the publication released a series of print covers featuring Pierce The Veil, including drummer Mike Fuentes who was accused of sexually assaulting a minor back in 2017.

The site also regularly features makeup artist Jeffree Star, who has been called out in the past for racist remarks, in addition to perpetuating fatphobia.

As of the time of publishing this, the magazine has yet to issue an apology and both Carlile and Of Mice & Men have yet to comment.

Note from the Editor: If you or someone you know have been a victim of sexual assault, please know that Second Society Report believes you and we stand by you in solidarity.

We strive to help make the music community a safe space for fans of all ages, races, gender identities, sexualities, and interests. We believe in holding those who do not believe in the same ideals accountable- including our favorite artists, as hard as it may be.

If you are a survivor in need of assistance, please visit Rainn.org or call their sexual assault hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) for help or more resources and information on assisting loved ones.