In a BC Supreme Court defamation trial, a former creative writing student expressed her shock and horror over the language used in a mass email by a fellow student investigating misconduct allegations against author and former UBC professor Steven Galloway. Cara Woodruff, a UBC creative writing graduate, testified that she was taken aback by the content of an email she received in November 2015 from Chelsea Rooney, who was gathering complaints against Galloway. Woodruff described the email as containing exaggerated and sensational language, encouraging recipients to anonymously contact a reporter from The Canadian Press regarding allegations against Galloway.
Woodruff revealed that Rooney purportedly acted on behalf of a woman identified as A.B., who was portrayed as vulnerable and in need of support. However, Woodruff noted that A.B. had expressed distrust towards Chelsea, questioning Rooney’s role in the situation. Woodruff maintained her skepticism regarding the sexual assault allegations against Galloway, urging A.B. to involve the police for a proper investigation.
Rooney issued a public apology to Galloway shortly before the trial commenced, acknowledging the severity and harm caused by her actions and expressing regret for contributing to Galloway’s suffering. Woodruff, who considered herself blindsided by the allegations due to her friendship with A.B., found the situation unclear, particularly regarding any criminal investigations.
Notably, A.B. is not testifying in the trial and has not asserted the truth of the allegations made against Galloway. Despite facing no criminal charges related to A.B.’s accusations, Galloway was terminated from his position as a tenured professor and creative writing program chair at the University of British Columbia.
The court also heard from Stephen Bohnen, a former UBC community relations officer, who documented A.B.’s sexual harassment complaint against Galloway in 2013. During questioning, Bohnen clarified that A.B. reported sexual harassment, not assault, and addressed misconceptions about his involvement in the matter.
Glynnis Kirchmeier, a defendant representing herself in the defamation case, raised concerns about the university’s handling of complaints against professors, indicating its potential impact on the case. Justice Neena Sharma intervened to inquire about the relevance of Kirchmeier’s arguments to the defamation allegations.
The court proceedings further revealed A.B.’s admission during cross-examination in 2019 that she falsely claimed CBC’s legal team had vetted her story. Galloway’s lawyer cited A.B.’s desperation for an investigation as the reason for her misleading statement. A.B. defended her actions, emphasizing the challenges women face in bringing forward and investigating their cases.
Later in the hearing, A.B.’s legal team contested the admission of a report by a publishing industry expert into evidence, as Galloway asserts that his writing career suffered irreparable damage following the surfacing of the allegations.