PR Expert Testifies Galloway Mishandled Sexual Assault Scandal Response
Court hears author failed to leverage key assets to rehabilitate his damaged public image.
1Expert Critique of Strategy
Public relations expert Norman Stowe testified in B.C. Supreme Court that author Steven Galloway failed to effectively manage his public image following sexual assault allegations. Despite having significant professional assets, Stowe argued that Galloway lacked a coherent crisis communications plan, which prevented him from successfully moving past the 2015 scandal.
2Unused Assets for Recovery
Stowe highlighted that Galloway possessed substantial advantages, including support from prominent Canadian literary figures and a report from a retired judge that exonerated him of sexual assault. These resources, combined with positive media coverage and university settlements, provided a strong foundation for recovery that remained largely unutilized by the author.
3Context of Defamation Trial
The testimony occurred during Galloway’s 2018 defamation lawsuit against a former student and others who repeated allegations online. Galloway, formerly the head of the University of British Columbia’s creative writing program, was fired in 2016 for breach of trust after an investigation confirmed an affair with the student, A.B.
4Defense Strategy and Adjustments
Lead lawyer Arden Beddoes, representing A.B., withdrew defenses of truth and fair comment at the trial's start. Beddoes stated that A.B. is no longer claiming she was sexually assaulted, but maintains she reported the incidents. The defense emphasizes the severe personal stress A.B. has faced, including two suicide attempts this year.
5Cross-Examination of PR Tactics
During cross-examination, Galloway’s lawyer Daniel Burnett challenged Stowe’s assertion that the author took no steps to rehabilitate his career. Burnett noted that Galloway maintained his innocence, enlisted support from literary stars like Margaret Atwood, and engaged with media outlets, fulfilling several of Stowe’s own established rules for crisis management.
6Comparison to High-Profile Cases
Stowe compared Galloway’s situation to public figures like Bill Clinton and Martha Stewart, who navigated severe reputational challenges. While Stowe maintained that the principles of image rehabilitation remain consistent regardless of the specific allegations, he acknowledged that sexual assault claims carry a unique, powerful weight that complicates the recovery process significantly.
7Testimony from Mandi Gray
Defendant Mandi Gray, an assistant professor at Trent University, also testified regarding her online posts. Her legal counsel stated that Gray is withdrawing specific defenses for several social media posts made between 2016 and 2018, while arguing fair comment for others, noting that Twitter is not ideal for nuanced public discourse.
8Legal and Reputational Implications
The trial underscores the complexities of managing personal reputation in the digital age after serious allegations. While the defense acknowledges the profound consequences Galloway faced, they dispute the scale of damages requested. The court must now weigh the impact of the allegations against the effectiveness of the author's own response.