Michael Coleman refuted allegations of sexual harassment and impropriety today in a press conference held in the office of a Vancouver public relations firm.
Flanked by his wife Michelle and PR team, Coleman – an actor on ABC’s Once Upon a Time who recently stepped down from his role at Vancouver's SchoolCreative Institute of the Arts – addressed the crowd, which included invited media, several supporters, and 10 protesters who stood at the back of the room holding yellow signs bearing the words “We believe the women.”
“I have seen my name in headlines with words like ‘sexual misconduct’ and ‘sexual allegations’ and if you were to ask anybody what they are, the answer would be, ‘I’m not sure, I don’t know what they are,’” Coleman said.
“A young woman who was a friend of mine at one point stood up at a town hall and made allegations that she alleged happened in 2009. Any allegations against me are at best a wrong interpretation of events, and I would like to give you those allegations now.”
Coleman described the four allegations that had come to his attention. He vehemently denied them all, as he had done previously in written statements, and noted that he had received moral support from individuals within the industry. He stated that he has never engaged in any inappropriate behaviour with students or instructors at his school, or with fans at conventions.
Coleman also remarked that he has consulted a Vancouver defamation lawyer and is considering legal action against individuals who have defamed him on social media.
No charges have been filed against Coleman. He has previously stated that his decision to leave the school had nothing to do with the allegations.
Protesters gathered on the sidewalk outside of the office building before the press conference and conducted interviews with print and broadcast media. Actress and teacher Lisa Ovies – who was one of five women to discuss industry-wide sexual harassment and abuse in a Westender cover story last October – told the Courier that she was present because she wanted “women who are survivors to know that we’re here for them if they’re able to come forward. We’re just humans supporting women and survivors.”
Actress and protester Jordana Largy similarly cited the importance of showing up to support women. “It’s emotional. I know some of these women personally.... This behaviour can’t go on.”
This is a developing story. We will have more from the Coleman press event later today.
