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Concert Promoter David Cutbush Responds To Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct

Australian concert promoter David Cutbush, who departed touring company Life Is Noise earlier today following allegations of sexual misconduct, has issued a statement apologising for his actions.

In a lengthy statement provided to Music Feeds, Cutbush says “it is true” that he has “acted poorly and in a manner that is inappropriate and sleazy”.

“Using my male privilege to gain sexual favours has been disrespectful towards women,” he says.

“I have used my position in the music industry to my advantage. I have propositioned women much younger than me and have behaved creepily in person at music events and online.

“I wish to apologise to the many women I have hurt. However, I don’t expect forgiveness. It has taken me too long to realise I have created situations which made women in the music community and beyond feel uncomfortable or unsafe. I’m now committed to examining my actions and learning ways to change.”

Cutbush says the recent #metoo and #meNOmore campaigns have weighed “heavily” on his mind.

“I thought this day would come when my actions and behaviours would be exposed, and I deserve to be found out,” he says, before apologising to a Sydney girl who he asked out for a drink when she was 16.

“Whilst I have acted shamefully and said things I regret, I have at no stage physically or sexually abused anyone,” Cutbush says. “This is something of which I am certain. Any allegations to the contrary are untrue.”

Cutbush goes on to apologise to his former business partner Jack Midalia, who remains Director of Life Is Noise, and says he is seeking treatment for substance abuse problems, “which is not an excuse for my behaviour but an explanation of the context surrounding such poor actions”.

“I will be taking time to deeply reflect on ways to change and be a better person,” he says. “None of these words makes this right. But I am genuinely and deeply sorry.”

Cutbush’s statement comes after US metal band Sleep cancelled their planned 2018 Australian tour earlier today, after the allegations against Cutbush came to light.

Read Cutbush’s statement in full, below.

If you need assistance, 1800 RESPECT – the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service — can be reached on 1800 737 732.

For help or information regarding mental health, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Incidents involving solicitation of child exploitation material can be reported to police via 000.

David Cutbush Statement (15/12/17)

To everyone this may concern,

I would like to address the accusations levelled in social media and beyond about my conduct. It is true that in the past I have acted poorly and in a manner that is inappropriate and sleazy.

Using my male privilege to gain sexual favours has been disrespectful towards women. I have used my position in the music industry to my advantage. I have propositioned women much younger than me and have behaved creepily in person at music events and online.

I wish to apologise to the many women I have hurt. However, I don’t expect forgiveness. It has taken me too long to realise I have created situations which made women in the music community and beyond feel uncomfortable or unsafe. I’m now committed to examining my actions and learning ways to change.

The #metoo campaign and more recently the #menomore campaign has been weighing heavily on my mind. I thought this day would come when my actions and behaviours would be exposed, and I deserve to be found out.

Specifically, I would like to apologise to the young girl in Sydney I asked out for a drink. This was a few years ago and she was 16 at the time, and this proposition was not appropriate as I was almost 20 years older. I am sorry for that. It was entirely out of line.

Whilst I have acted shamefully and said things I regret, I have at no stage physically or sexually abused anyone. This is something of which I am certain. Any allegations to the contrary are untrue.

I have been removed, effective immediately as a Director of Life Is Noise and will have no future involvement in the company. I would like to offer my sincere apologies to my former business partner, whom is in no way responsible for my actions and behaviours.

I humbly acknowledge these mistakes have not just affected the many women I have hurt but everyone around me, my family, friends and colleagues who have stuck up for me over the years. I sincerely apologise to you all.

But most of all I am sorry to the many women I have treated inappropriately, hit on, been sleazy towards or any other negative, disrespectful behaviour. Should anyone wish to speak with me in person, I am here to offer you my apology face to face. There are no excuses for what I have done.

I am also seeking treatment for substance abuse problems which is not an excuse for my behaviour but an explanation of the context surrounding such poor actions.

I want to respectfully acknowledge my wrongs and educate myself to be a more compassionate human and show more respect to women.

I will be taking time to deeply reflect on ways to change and be a better person. None of these words makes this right. But I am genuinely and deeply sorry.

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