UPDATE: Sydney Band With Confidence Removed From UNIFY Gathering 2018 Lineup
CONTENT WARNING: The following story contains allegations of child exploitation.
Just days after With Confidence guitarist Luke ‘Rockets’ Thomas sensationally exited the group in the wake of child sexual misconduct allegations, the band are now “looking into” similar claims made against frontman Jayden Seeley.
The bassist and lead vocalist of the Sydney pop-punk collective has just been accused of soliciting child porn from a 15-year-old female fan, after a Twitter user identifying as ‘Aleks’ shared a series of Snapchat screenshots from the musician, in which he appears to ask her to send “boob pics”.
“When I was 15 I was first approached by Jayden Seeley who at the time was 21, and pressured into sending him nude photos,” she claims.
“When you’re 15 and you have someone you idolise giving you their attention, it seems like the end of the world if you don’t go along with what they want. He knew this and he used it to his advantage.”
Aleks — who appears to be a uni student based in Adelaide — goes on to allege that the incidents occurred across 2013-2014 when she was “severely under the legal age to consensually send these types of photos to someone”.
“Jayden was well aware of my age when he was trying to solicit these pictures from me as he would always ask if I was ‘sneaking’ into his 18+ shows,” she continues.
“I understand that during the interactions I had with Jayden, I was consenting to having these conversations and sending these types of photos. However I am now old enough to understand that I was being manipulated by his status and that he was grooming a minor.
“My lack of mental and psychological development was taken advantage of by a person who used my idolisation of his talent as leverage to coerce me into sending him provocative photos. His constant harassment and pressuring caused me immense amounts of stress and led to mental health related issues that I still haven’t recovered from.”
It comes just hours after the remaining With Con trio — Jayden included — issued a statement about now ex-guitarist Rockets’ alleged sexual misconduct, claiming that they were “all completely unaware of this unacceptable, irresponsible and disgusting behaviour that has taken place”.
“If Jayden had been so disgusted and disappointed by the actions of the other member in his band, he should have come forward and apologised for his own actions as he has done the exact same thing,” writes Aleks.
Meanwhile, With Con drummer Josh Brozzesi has addressed the new claims against Jayden in a post on his personal Twitter account, stating: “We have been made aware of an allegation against Jayden. It’s very late here but Ini and I are looking into this and are treating this with the utmost seriousness.”
Read all parties’ full statements below. We’ll bring you more on this story as it develops.
UPDATE: Jayden Seeley has now released a statement, denying he knew Aleks was underage at the time of the Snapchats, claiming that a number of details in her allegations are “false” and apologising to anyone who may have been affected by his actions. Read below:
— Jayden Seeley (@jaydenseeley_) November 15, 2017
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.
https://twitter.com/alekskczk/status/930656401994764288
We have been made aware of an allegation against Jayden. It's very late here but Ini and I are looking into this and are treating this with the utmost seriousness.
— josh brozzesi (@joshwithcon) November 15, 2017
Music Feeds does not endorse the views expressed in statements by Aleks or the members of With Confidence and is simply reporting that all statements have been made publicly
