Paramore‘s Hayley Williams has released a statement in support of artists including The Regrettes‘ Lydia Night and Clementine Creevy of the band Cherry Glazerr, who both recently opened up about their alleged experiences with sexual misconduct.

Night accused SWMRS drummer Joey Armstrong of pressuring her into sexual situations while they were in a relationship beginning when she was 16 and he was 22, while Creevy said her former band mate, Sean Redman, had unprotected sex with her when she was 14 and he was 20.

Neither Armstrong nor Redman have responded publicly to the allegations.

“Have been reading a lot of statements from friends and peers in the music scene who have all experienced sexual and other kinds of abuse a the hands of dudes in bands or other parts of our industry,” Williams writes in her statement. “It makes my stomach hurt and my eyes red.”

Williams adds that she’s gone through her career “mostly unscathed” — “I am a rare one to not have any actual horror stories,” she says — but she wanted to share her statement to say she’s “so proud of my peers who have recently unburdened themselves of the secrets they kept for fear of shame or blame.”

“I stand with them to help further or collective cause,” Williams writes. “To protect womxn and young folx in the music scene.”

Williams calls for the entire music industry, including labels, managers and bands, to “call out improper behavior and hold each other to a higher standard or respect and empathy.”

“All my respect to Clem and Lydia and others who’ve come forward,” she concludes. “You are brave and worthy.”

By Josh Johnson
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