In 2015, award-winning author and (former) UBC professor Steven Galloway became the target of a social media storm after an allegation was leveled that he had sexually assaulted a student. An allegation, Galloway has denied ever since.

But at the time, a number of both staff and students at UBC came out publicly in support of the accuser. In turn, Galloway sued them for defamation. Defendants include 20 people who tweeted, commented, or spoke about the allegations. In one case, the individual being sued simply reviewed an art show, and never even printed Galloway's name.

Many of these defendants said this defamation suit is meant to silence sexual assault survivors, so they filed a SLAPP suit in response. Some were dismissed by a judge, others weren't. And which were and which weren't leads to all kinds of questions about how the legal process deals with sexual assault allegations. Meanwhile, Galloway says the SLAPP suit has delayed his ability to clear his name by years.

Is this case a path to justice for a CanLit star who was ruined by an online mob? Or does this represent the silencing of survivors and the #metoo movement? 

Featured in this episode: David Wotherspoon, partner at Dentons; Hilary Young, law professor, University of New Brunswick; Glynnis Kirchmeier, defendant.

Further reading:
She accused a university prof of sexual assault. Now he’s suing for defamation. Some fear the ‘landmark’ case could have a chilling effect, Douglas Quan, Toronto Star
Under a cloud: How UBC's Steven Galloway affair has haunted a campus and changed lives, Marsha Lederman, Globe and Mail
Details of UBC actions revealed through defamation suit brought by Steven Galloway, Marsha Lederman, Globe and Mail
L’Affaire Galloway, Kerry Gold, The Warlus

 

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