On the first day of the defamation trial against four defendants accused of falsely alleging sexual assault against former University of British Columbia professor Steven Galloway, his wife, Katie Wager, was the initial witness to testify. Wager recounted that Galloway learned of the accusation while at a speaking engagement in Ohio in late 2015. Upon her arrival in Ohio to support him, she found Galloway in a distressed state in a hospital under suicide watch, denying the allegations.
The primary defendant in the lawsuit, identified as “AB,” is the accuser of Galloway, a former student. Other defendants are accused of spreading the sexual assault claims, including through social media platforms. Despite never facing criminal charges, Galloway was terminated from his tenured professorship and position as the head of the UBC creative writing department.
A report by retired B.C. Supreme Court judge Mary Ellen Boyd, commissioned by UBC, determined the allegations against Galloway were unfounded. Subsequently, Galloway received over $240,000 in damages from the university after arbitration. However, according to Wagner, Boyd’s report led to a proliferation of online accusations against Galloway.
The ongoing ordeal, including the accusations and subsequent fallout, has taken a toll on Galloway’s family, finances, and overall well-being, as testified by Wagner. She revealed instances of Galloway’s extreme withdrawal, suicide attempts, and her efforts to monitor his medication intake to prevent intentional overdose.
Galloway initiated defamation lawsuits against several individuals in 2018, with the defendants arguing that their statements were protected speech. The Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear the case following a lower court ruling that failing to address the defendants’ assertions would undermine legal consequences for labeling someone a rapist.
While some defendants have settled out of court or issued apologies, the trial continues. Galloway, known for works such as “The Cellist of Sarajevo” and “The Confabulist,” is pursuing special damages reflecting his prior stature in the literary realm. AB, the primary accuser, has requested anonymity to avoid potential online harassment.
The trial, initially projected for 60 days, is now expected to last around 20 days due to the reduced number of defendants, as indicated by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Neena Sharma. If you or someone you know requires mental health support, various resources are available, including hotlines and counseling services.
