The defamation trial against four individuals accused of falsely alleging sexual assault by former University of British Columbia professor Steven Galloway commenced with testimony from his wife, Katie Wagner. She recounted Galloway’s distress upon learning of the accusation while he was away on a speaking engagement in Ohio in late 2015. Wagner described finding him in a hospital on suicide watch, visibly shaken by the false allegations.
The main defendant in the lawsuit is a former student identified as “AB,” with others implicated for spreading the sexual assault claims, including on social media. Despite never facing criminal charges, Galloway was terminated from his tenured position at UBC. An investigative report by retired B.C. Supreme Court judge Mary Ellen Boyd, commissioned by UBC, deemed the claims against Galloway unsubstantiated. Following arbitration, Galloway was awarded over $240,000 in damages from the university.
Wagner highlighted the negative impact of the online backlash stemming from Boyd’s report, expressing concerns that the allegations would never cease. She testified to the toll the accusations took on their family, mentioning instances where Galloway’s mental health deteriorated significantly, leading to suicide attempts and stringent medication monitoring.
Galloway pursued defamation lawsuits against multiple individuals in 2018, with the defendants arguing that their statements were protected speech. The Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear the case after a lower court emphasized the potential consequences of unchecked defamatory accusations.
Several defendants have settled out of court or issued apologies, acknowledging the harm caused by their statements. Galloway, known for works like “The Cellist of Sarajevo” and “The Confabulist,” seeks special damages reflecting his tarnished reputation in the literary community. AB, the main accuser, has requested anonymity due to fears of online harassment.
The trial, initially slated for 60 days but now expected to last 20 days due to fewer defendants, aims to address the legal ramifications of the alleged defamation. Additionally, resources for mental health support were provided for individuals struggling with similar challenges.
