Amber Coffman spoke out on social media about being sexually harassed. Photo / Getty Images
Amber Coffman spoke out on social media about being sexually harassed. Photo / Getty Images
Musician Amber Coffman took to social media earlier this week to speak out about how she was sexually harassed by a powerful music executive.
The 31-year-old singer and guitarist with Brooklyn-based band Dirty Projectors accused US music PR company Life Or Death founder Heathcliff Berru of sexual misconduct, forcing him to quit as CEO on Tuesday.
Coffman made the claims in a series of tweets on Twitter.
She tweeted: "Was just re-telling/re-remembering a story abt (sic) how a very popular music publicist RUBBED my ass and BIT my hair at a bar a couple years ago."
She went on to say: "Tired of sketchy a** dudes and sexual predators getting a pass from their 'bros.' Grow a spine and hold your friends accountable."
Coffman then received support from other Twitter users.
One person wrote: "I'm so sad to hear so many women have had this experience w/ him but I'm happy it's being brought to light."
Heathcliff Berru was forced to quit his job. Photo / Facebook
Coffman also encouraged other women to come forward.
She tweeted: "I've been told many women have had scary stories about him for years but are scared to speak up. And dudes overlook it and keep hiring him."
"I know several women have not yet come forward about Heathcliff. The choice is theirs to make but I hope they know they add to the strength."
After her encouragement tweets, a number of women came forward with the same accusations against Berru.
Not long after the tweets emerged on social media Berru released a statement saying he was checking himself into rehab and apologised for his "alleged inappropriate behaviour" towards women.
"I am deeply sorry for those who I have offended by my actions and how I have made certain women feel," he writes. "If I crossed the line of decency or respectfulness in situations when I was drunk and under the influence, there is no excuse of course."
Life or Death PR responded to the incident by saying: "Life or Death has a zero tolerance policy for the type of conduct alleged in today's on-line postings. We take these allegations very seriously."
