SNAILS Releases Statement Addressing Sexual Assault Allegations [Updated]

After months of silence on Twitter, SNAILS re-emerged on the platform to release a statement addressing sexual assault allegations.

Update January 11 at 2:30pm PT: SNAILS has posted a second statement to his Twitter account addressing allegations made against him. The full statement can be found below.

https://twitter.com/snailmusic/status/1348753880046297089

Previously: Amidst the global pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement, the dance music community was rocked by sexual misconduct allegations that surfaced last year. Survivors came forward with stories about their interactions with artists including Bassnectar, graves, Space Jesus, Billy Kenny, Erick Morillo, and more, and that message was amplified across social media. SNAILS was also an artist who drew the attention of many as stories centered around him began to circulate.

Since June 24, SNAILS remained silent on Twitter and the previous posts on his own Instagram have since vanished. Yesterday, he broke that silence and teased a preview of the next chapter of his career, which reignited the conversation surrounding these allegations. Today, as new posts began to surface on an Instagram account that was created in July of last year, he released a statement on Twitter addressing the claims made against him that date back to 2018.

“I want to address a lot of things that are being said about me. There have been serious allegations made and I must start by saying these allegations are completely false. Now, enough is enough,” said SNAILS as he opened the statement. “My fans and everyone around me deserve the truth.” He goes on to recount the history of the project, his lack of awareness in regards to the responsibility he holds as an artist, and his persona as a “party guy” which he relates to the culture of the scene and desire to fit in.

It was and is my responsibility to protect and ensure the safety of those around me. Those professional boundaries should never have been crossed and I acknowledge the need for improvement.

In the statement, SNAILS mentions his abstinence from drugs, calling claims that are centered around him giving or forcing others to use them “absolutely untrue.” He then addresses the sexual assault allegations directly, saying “I stand by any victim of sexual assault, harassment, or abuse of any kind. Those experiences deserve to be heard. Victims deserve to be protected and defended. That being said, none of my actions fall into this category.”

SNAILS continues with an apology to those who he may have made uncomfortable, as well as addressing the power imbalance his career has created between himself and others. He then closes out the statement, which can be read in full below.

Read the full statement from SNAILS on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/snailmusic/status/1346618525327228929?s=20

You are not alone. There are always resources and help available to you if you have experienced sexual assault at a festival, event, nightclub, or anywhere in life.

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) runs the National Sexual Assault Hotline to offer support to victims and their families. Their services are free and confidential: 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673) (Available 24 hours a day by phone and by online chat.)

Relief After Violent Encounter (RAVE) — this organization can help you find counseling and therapy after a violent encounter.

RAVE also has a domestic and sexual violence Emergency Response Team that is deployed through law enforcement to provide emergency crisis intervention to victims immediately after an assault. Reach out to their Emergency Response Program Coordinator, Lisa Cloman, at 616-527-3351 ext. 231 or lisac@raveim.org.

DJ Mag and the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM) created a support hotline specifically for people to report sexual harassment in the dance music industry. This helpline is staffed by trained experts who will listen and support anyone who calls: (800) 030-5182.