Author and former UBC professor Steven Galloway expressed his surprise upon discovering allegations of sexual assault against him. He believed he had parted ways amicably with a former student who made the accusation. Galloway disclosed to a B.C. Supreme Court judge during his defamation lawsuit that while their relationship was deemed “inappropriate, ill-advised, and foolish,” they had maintained a friendship and regular communication following their breakup in 2013.
In his legal claim, Galloway stated that the woman, whose identity remains protected, and others had disseminated the accusations online, resulting in defamation that led to his termination from the university as a professor and head of the creative writing department. Galloway testified about his two-year consensual relationship with A.B., an older former student he met around 2011 during a writing course taught by a colleague.
Galloway recalled learning about the sexual assault allegation while in Ohio for an event in November 2015. He recounted interactions with Annabel Lyon, the acting chair of the creative writing department in his absence, where concerns about his well-being were raised. This led to a distressing incident where police arrived at his hotel room on a report of potential self-harm, resulting in his temporary commitment to a psychiatric facility.
During the trial, Galloway shared his disorientation and fear during these events. His wife, Katie Wagner, testified to the profound impact the accusations had on Galloway, leading to a significant decline in his mental and emotional well-being. Wagner described how Galloway withdrew from his usual activities, such as playing the piano and engaging in the literary community, after facing suspension and subsequent dismissal from his teaching role.
Amidst the ongoing legal proceedings, Justice Neena Sharma granted continued anonymity to the defendant, known as A.B., citing the need to shield her from potential harms and uphold the privacy of sexual assault complainants. The court also heard about the mental health challenges faced by both Galloway and A.B., including suicide attempts, following the public disclosure of the allegations.
Galloway’s lawsuit, initially targeting multiple defendants for alleged online defamation, now involves four remaining defendants. The trial continues to unfold, shedding light on the complexities and repercussions of the allegations made against Galloway.
For those in need of support, various resources are available, including Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline, provincial mental health services, Kids Help Phone, and guides from organizations like the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health on addressing concerns about suicide with loved ones.
