Bjork claims she was sexually harassed by director

'My humiliation and role as a lesser sexually harassed being was the norm and set in stone with the director and a staff of dozens who enabled it and encouraged it,' claims Icelandic musician

The singer says she is inspired by the mounting numbers of women who have been speaking out online

​Bjork has claimed she was sexually harassed by a director who she claims punished her for rebuffing his sexual advances.

The Icelandic artist, who has received widespread critical acclaim for her innovative and imaginative music, said the slew of women coming forward to accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault and harassment had inspired her to speak out.

The 51-year-old said the lack of ambition she invested in the acting world meant she was able to walk away freely but she was concerned other female actors working with the same director could not.

“It was extremely clear to me when I walked into the actresses profession that my humiliation and role as a lesser sexually harassed being was the norm and set in stone with the director and a staff of dozens who enabled it and encouraged it,” the musician said in a Facebook post.

“I became aware of that it is a universal thing that a director can touch and harass his actresses at will and the institution of film allows it.”

She continued: “When I turned the director down repeatedly he sulked and punished me and created for his team an impressive net of illusion where I was framed as the difficult one. Because of my strength, my great team and because I had nothing to lose, having no ambitions in the acting world, I walked away from it and recovered in a year's time.”

“I am worried though that other actresses working with the same man did not. The director was fully aware of this game. I was the first one that stood up to him and didn't let him get away with it.”

Bjork said she believes that the director had a “more fair and meaningful relationship” with female actors he worked with after having had a confrontation with her and this showed there was hope yet.

The singer said she had been inspired by the mounting numbers of women who have been speaking out online.

“Let's hope this statement supports the actresses and actors all over. Let’s stop this. There is a wave of change in the world. Kindness, Björk,” she concluded the post.

Despite being shared two hours ago, the post has already been liked over eight thousand times and shared over one thousand times. Fans heaped praised on Bjork for speaking out.

The issue of sexual harassment has gained growing attention in the wake of the alleged Weinstein scandal which has seen the famous Hollywood producer accused of sexual harassment and assault by a series of women.

More than 30 women, including actors Angelina Jolie, Kate Beckinsale and Gwyneth Paltrow, have come forward since the New York Times’ explosive article disclosed sexual harassment and rape allegations against the film mogul spanning back decades.

Faced with a litany of sexual harassment allegations, Weinstein has been fired from his namesake company, expelled from the Oscars and had his wife leave him. Police forces in the UK and US have announced they are investigating allegations made against him.

The producer has apologised for having “caused a lot of pain” but has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. He is believed to currently be in Arizona receiving “treatment” linked to his behaviour.

"Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr Weinstein. Mr Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances," his spokesperson told The Independent in a statement.