Content Warning: This article discusses themes of abuse. If you or someone you know are affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
The Smith Street Band’s Wil Wagner has penned an open letter regarding allegations of emotional abuse made against him last month.
The band have posted the lengthy letter to their official Facebook page, noting that their upcoming Australian tour scheduled to kick off at the end of this month has now been canceled.
Wagner had previously revealed a statement responding to allegations made against him by former partner, Georgia Maq of Camp Cope, in which he formally acknowledged a number of screenshots of emails he had sent to her.
Wagner has now apologised for his past actions, saying, “I said some incredibly hurtful things that I should never have said and expressed myself in a way that I completely regret and I wholeheartedly apologise for”
The letter also delves into his public struggles with mental health and ends with him noting that he is “trying to be a better person.”
Read a snippet of the statement below:
“Hey everyone.
Thanks in advance for reading this.
I was incapable of making a fuller statement until now because after the initial shock I spiralled into a very dark place. With the love and support of family and friends, and because there is so much at stake for so many people, I’m writing this now.
Firstly, the emails and messages, some of which date back to 2013, were private correspondence. They were recently posted on social media in breach of confidence and in breach of my privacy. They were selectively published with running commentary by someone who wasn’t the recipient of those emails and messages.
Secondly, I would like to provide some context to these emails and messages as they were published only in part. Omitted from the correspondence were responses by both me and my former partners. They were small snippets of two-sided correspondence and conversations within two different relationships.
The Facebook messages were written almost 6 years ago when I was 23 years old and grappling with the stress of international touring while attempting a long-distance relationship. I feel embarrassed rereading these messages now as they show how young, immature and poor I was at communicating and resolving arguments in this relationship. I take responsibility for my part in this and I apologise to my former partner for any hurt that I caused her during this time.
The private emails were written almost 3 years ago at an incredibly low point in my life at the end of a long-term relationship with someone I loved and cared for very deeply.
Towards the end of the relationship and after we broke up, I was heartbroken and hurt, depressed and angry.
As a result, I said some incredibly hurtful things that I should never have said and expressed myself in a way that I completely regret and I wholeheartedly apologise for. I am embarrassed that everyone has now seen me at my absolute worst.
Our relationship had very big highs and also very deep lows. It could at times be a toxic relationship. We could speak lovingly to each other and also horribly to each other. I take my share of the responsibility for the toxicity which existed between us. And I apologise to my former partner for my part in the hurt caused.
As many of you know I have long suffered with depression, anxiety and other long-standing mental health problems. Over the years I have been dependent on different drugs and alcohol, neglected therapy because of feeling beyond help, let myself down by behaving irrationally, lost my strength and my self esteem and held deep-seeded suicidal ideations. I have relied on immediate comforts to bring fleeting relief, hence my recent drastic weight gain. I don’t say this to excuse or justify the things I said in those emails or Facebook messages, but to at least provide some further context. The life of a touring musician is one of turbulence, pressure and exhaustion – things that I’ve always struggled to deal with. I also think it’s important to say that as these issues are deeply personal, sensitive and private, dealing with them so publicly has had, and will continue to have, a very real impact on my (and I’m sure others’) mental health.”
You can read the entirity of the letter 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.
