- David Dobrik apologized for not taking Vlog Squad’s allegations of sexual assault seriously.
- The video follows an earlier apology video that had comments disabled.
- “I want to use this opportunity to move forward and acknowledge my mistakes,” said Dobrik.
- Visit the Insider home page for more stories.
David Dobrik apologized for not listening to and taking Vlog Squad’s allegations of sexual assault more seriously in a seven-minute video uploaded on Tuesday.
“I have put myself in many situations where I need to apologize for my previous actions and I never did it correctly. I never did it with respect, and my last video is proof of that,” said Dobrik. “I don’t want to defend this video. I don’t want to delete this video. I just want to be clear.”
Dobrik was referring to a video sent last week called “Let’s talk”, which had comments disabled.
The apology comes after Insider’s Kat Tenbarge reported that a woman on Dobrik’s YouTube channel said she was raped by a member of the Vlog Squad, Dominykas Zeglaitis, also known as Durte Dom, in 2018 on the night they filmed a video. about group sex.
The woman said she received alcohol from members of the Vlog Squad, passed out from intoxication and was unable to give consent.
In his most recent apology video, Dobrik said he should have listened to women who alleged sexual harassment and that it should have created a more comfortable environment, especially for people to express their discomfort.
“I want to start this video by saying that I totally believe in the woman who spoke out against Dom and said she was sexually abused and raped by him,” said Dobrik.
Dobrik said that although he obtained consent to post the video the next day, he “should never have posted it”.
“What I understand now and I didn’t understand before is that she sent that message because she felt she should, not that she wanted to and that is screwed up and I’m sorry,” he said.
He apologized to the woman for putting her and her friends in an environment that “I enabled and made them feel as if their safety and values were compromised”.
Dobrik said he now understands that he was creating an unfair power dynamic when people were asked to record videos with Vlog Squad, especially those who depended on “shock” for views. He said he recognizes that he has a responsibility to ensure that everyone feels safe while making that video.
While Dobrik said he stopped filming with Dom in 2019, he said he “broke his heart” that he never reached out to any women who showed up and said they felt uncomfortable during the shoot.
Dobrik said he is taking a serious break from social media, but it is not completely erased, so he is able to establish an infrastructure that allows checks and balances and can help people feel comfortable and express discomfort.
“It doesn’t feel right to post again as I have done and it also doesn’t feel right to be dark because I love what I do, but I think it’s important to show that change is possible and that I’m learning maybe even forgiveness is possible,” said Dobrik . “I want to use this opportunity to move forward and acknowledge my mistakes.”