Perth band Cursed Earth have officially parted ways with frontwoman Jazmine Luders, following allegations of abuse.
The group, who performed without Luders at UNIFY Gathering 2018 and cancelled their appearance at Download Festival Melbourne last week, have released a statement outlining their knowledge of “a deeply dysfunctional and abusive relationship” Luders has recently been involved in.
“Both girls were very often emotionally and verbally abusive to each other,” say the band.
“During this time we saw Jaz being physically attacked by her partner on multiple occasions, we came to the conclusion that while she was guilty of unacceptable and hurtful behaviour, she was also a victim of violence.
“At this stage, we don’t trust either of the people involved to tell a complete recollection of the story but we can offer that we have never seen Jazmine instigate physical violence. These events were not a secret and were relatively common knowledge among people who knew Jaz.”
Cursed Earth say they allowed Luders to continue working with the band after the relationship ended “under the condition that she follow a clear set of boundaries on her personal behaviour in future relationships”.
However, the band say in January this year they learned Luders “had started hanging out with this ex-partner again”.
“They had inevitably had a fight which led to the online accusations,” they say.
“This seems to us to be designed to hurt Jaz and is an extension of the abusive nature of that relationship. We were also made aware of verbally abusive behaviour to a mutual friend that breached these boundaries so the decision was made the move on without her.
“We’ve always taken pride in this band providing a lifeline from Jaz’s dysfunctional home life and giving her something to work towards. Unfortunately this personal growth is now something she will have to approach alone and we hope that this will be a catalyst for that.”
In her own statement, Luders says, “In light of the recent allegations against me, I would like to state that the information provided has not been full or accurate.
“To provide all context necessary would be to divulge more aspects of my personal life, especially that surrounding my mental health and subsequent mismanagement of it, and the involved parties lives, then I am comfortable in disclosing publicly.”
Luders also says the remaining members of Cursed Earth “have been very supportive over the last few years”, and says she regrets “this has proven very costly to their growth and progress”.
“Whilst we have chosen to part ways, we harbor no ill will towards each other,” she says.
Read Cursed Earth and Jazmine Luders’ statements 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.
Cursed Earth Statement
Regarding Jaz, The situation is very complex, with a lot of sides and differing opinions so we’ll try to boil it down to what we know first hand.
In 2015/2016 Jazmine was involved in a deeply dysfunctional and abusive relationship. Both girls were very often emotionally and verbally abusive to each other.
During this time we saw Jaz being physically attacked by her partner on multiple occasions, we came to the conclusion that while she was guilty of unacceptable and hurtful behaviour, she was also a victim of violence. At this stage, we don’t trust either of the people involved to tell a complete recollection of the story but we can offer that we have never seen Jazmine instigate physical violence. These events were not a secret and were relatively common knowledge among people who knew Jaz.
Based on that factor, we decided to allow Jazmine to continue with the band after the relationship ended, under the condition that she follow a clear set of boundaries on her personal behaviour in future relationships.
In January this year we learnt that she had started hanging out with this ex-partner again and they had inevitably had a fight which led to the online accusations. This seems to us to be designed to hurt Jaz and is an extension of the abusive nature of that relationship. We were also made aware of verbally abusive behaviour to a mutual friend that breached these boundaries so the decision was made the move on without her.
We’ve always taken pride in this band providing a lifeline from Jaz’s dysfunctional home life and giving her something to work towards. Unfortunately this personal growth is now something she will have to approach alone and we hope that this will be a catalyst for that.
We’ve been taking time to connect with those who have been involved, recoup and move forward.
We’d also like to thank those people who have given us time to treat this situation with the respect and thoroughness it deserves, as well as our friends, management and label for their support.
In the interest of letting everyone say their piece, we’ve asked Jaz to prepare her own statement:
Jazmine Luders Statement
In light of the recent allegations against me, I would like to state that the information provided has not been full or accurate. To provide all context necessary would be to divulge more aspects of my personal life, especially that surrounding my mental health and subsequent mismanagement of it, and the involved parties lives, then I am comfortable in disclosing publicly.
Over the last few weeks I have taken time to step away from a lot of negative influences and reflected on my actions. Looking back on the last few years from a position of clear, level headedness and mental stability (something I have not possessed for a long time), I can see that my reactions to hardships in my life have at times been unacceptable and damaging to the people around me. Some of my relationships have been pushing me towards positive outcomes that I was unable to see or pursue, while others were actively isolating and driving me into darker places. I have chosen now to take accountability. Where possible and appropriate, I have made an effort to apologize for my behavior and mend my relationships with those effected. This has been a humbling and eye opening experience but one that has been necessary for my own self improvement and growth.
The boys in Cursed Earth have been very supportive over the last few years getting me to a space with my mental health where I am capable of talking of these issues candidly. I regret that this has proven very costly to their growth and progress. Whilst we have chosen to part ways, we harbor no ill will towards each other.
