Author and former University of British Columbia (UBC) professor Steven Galloway expressed his surprise upon being accused of sexual assault. He claimed that after engaging in an affair with the former student making the allegations, he thought they had ended things amicably. Galloway testified in a B.C. Supreme Court lawsuit alleging defamation that while the relationship was deemed inappropriate and foolish, he and the former student, identified as A.B., had maintained a friendship and stayed in touch even after their split in 2013.
In his legal action, Galloway accused the woman and others of defaming him by spreading the allegations online, which led to him losing his job as a professor and creative writing department chair at the university. He revealed that he had a consensual two-year relationship with A.B., an older former student he met in 2011 during a writing course taught by a colleague.
Galloway recounted learning about the sexual assault accusation while in Ohio for an event in November 2015. He described an incident where police arrived at his hotel room based on concerns about his safety, leading to him being involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility for 72 hours. Galloway’s wife, Katie Wagner, testified that the accusations had a profound impact on her husband, causing him distress and leading to a significant change in his behavior and activities.
Despite these challenges, Galloway’s legal battle continues, with the court granting continued anonymity to the defendant, A.B., to protect her privacy and dignity. The trial also highlighted the mental health struggles faced by both Galloway and A.B. since the allegations surfaced. The court heard that several defendants were involved in the defamation case, with four remaining defendants at present.
The ongoing legal proceedings have shed light on the complexities and emotional toll of the situation for all parties involved, emphasizing the importance of mental health support for individuals facing similar hardships.