# UBC Sexual Assault Complaint Procedures Under Scrutiny in Galloway Trial Testimony reveals institutional pressure during the rise of the #MeToo movement at UBC. - **Source:** [The Globe and Mail – Canada](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/5ab9fc05-3ed1-4228-8c7f-118068c82fa8 ## Institutional Scandal at UBC The University of British Columbia faced intense scrutiny in 2015 regarding its handling of sexual assault complaints. This period coincided with allegations against author Steven Galloway and a separate case involving a history department PhD student. These overlapping controversies forced the university to address systemic failures in its internal reporting mechanisms. ## Conflating Separate Advocacy Efforts Glynnis Kirchmeier testified that her advocacy for victims of a history student was often conflated with the separate case involving Steven Galloway. During a November 2015 press conference, media inquiries frequently shifted toward Galloway, who had just been suspended by the university for serious allegations, complicating the narrative of her campaign. ## The Galloway Lawsuit Context Steven Galloway, former chair of the creative-writing program, filed a lawsuit in 2018 against multiple defendants. He claims that allegations made by a former student, identified as A.B., destroyed his reputation and career. Galloway has never faced criminal charges and maintains that his relationship with the student was a consensual affair. ## Investigative Findings and Criticism In 2016, former judge Mary Ellen Boyd investigated the allegations against Galloway. Her report concluded that sexual assault could not be established on a balance of probabilities, though she found evidence of sexual harassment and misconduct. Critics, including Kirchmeier, argued the investigation was biased and aimed at a predetermined outcome. ## Digital Advocacy and Defamation Kirchmeier is currently defending herself against a defamation claim filed by Galloway. The lawsuit centers on a 2018 social media post where she criticized The Walrus magazine for its coverage of the case. She argues her use of a slash in the tweet was a stylistic choice, not a definitive legal accusation. ## Internal Communication and Pressure Evidence presented in court included private emails where Kirchmeier expressed frustration with the university's investigative process. She described the institution and the independent investigation as inadequate. These communications highlight the deep distrust between student advocates and university administration during a time of significant cultural shifts regarding sexual violence policies. ## The Role of Public Advocacy Kirchmeier’s efforts to hold the university accountable included sending an open letter in November 2015 to the history department. This letter inadvertently reached Galloway’s accuser, connecting different groups of students seeking systemic change. This intersection of advocacy groups illustrates how individual complaints evolved into a broader institutional crisis for the university. ## Ongoing Legal Proceedings The trial continues with testimony from various figures involved in the university's response to the 2015 scandals. Former dean of arts Gage Averill is expected to testify for the defense this Friday. The outcome of this trial remains a significant point of interest regarding institutional accountability and the #MeToo era's legal legacy. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ubc-was-facing-growing-pressure-on-sexual-assault-complaints-process/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._