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Women accuse Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann of sexual assault. The consequences and reactions.
That’s what it’s about: It started with a social media post by the Irish woman Shelby Lynn. Her accusation: A few weeks ago she was drugged at a Rammstein concert in Vilnius. In the dressing room, she fended off a sexual assault by Till Lindemann. A search followed NDR and the “Sueddeutsche Zeitung” with further allegations against the 60-year-old Lindemann: Several young women describe a system in which they were apparently recruited by the Rammstein team from “Row Zero” in front of the stage specifically for sex with Lindemann backstage.
The accusations: Women report sexual acts that they would not have consented to. Everything was “pretty fast and pretty violent”. “But I didn’t want to say that it hurts because it was Till Lindemann,” said a 22-year-old woman about an incident three years ago. Other women report illegal drugs being administered to them.
The facts: The women express themselves anonymously, those affected did not go to the police at the time. But friends from the area credibly confirm the stories to NDR and SZ. Today, one of those affected describes the sex with Lindemann at the time as assault and abuse of power. In addition, several women prove their statements with screenshots from chats and photos.
The reactions: The allegations were picked up by various media around the world. Lindemann himself and the management of Rammstein did that Allegations from Vilnius dismissed as untrue. Numerous women showed solidarity with the alleged victims on social media. On the other hand, a campaign by women who supported Rammstein took its course. According to NDR and SZ, a woman from Lindemann’s environment fueled the campaign.
The band’s statement: Finally, on May 4th, the band made its public statement for the first time on Instagram and wrote of “irritations and questions” that arose from fans. “The allegations hit us all very hard and we take them extremely seriously,” it said. The band condemns any kind of assault and those who have made allegations have a “right to their point of view”. However: “We, the band, also have a right – namely not to be prejudiced either.”
The consequences so far: The allegations have already had their first consequences: the publishing house Kiepenheuer & Witsch is ending its collaboration with Rammstein singer Till Lindemann with immediate effect. The Cologne publishing house, which had published the volumes “In silent nights” and “100 poems” with some of Lindemann’s highly controversial poems, announced its decision on Friday. “We have been shocked to see allegations against Till Lindemann that have become public in the past few days,” wrote publisher Kerstin Gleba.
The ongoing tour: So far, the allegations have had no effect on the European tour, the concerts are taking place. On June 17th and 18th, Rammstein will perform at two sold-out concerts in Bern’s Wankdorf Stadium. The Swiss organizer Gadget abc did not want to comment on the allegations against the Tamedia newspapers. “We’re following what’s going on. We cannot take a position on the allegation that has been made.”