Jamie Sarkonak: Steven Galloway’s accuser won’t even argue that she told the truth

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNP Comment Jamie Sarkonak: Steven Galloway's accuser won't even argue that she told the truth Several defendants in former UBC prof's defamation trial have settled, while woman who accused him will not testify Author of the article: By Jamie Sarkonak Published Sep 16, 2026 Last updated 59 minutes ago 4 minute read Join the conversation Writer Steven Galloway is pictured in his office at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia on March 31, 2014. PHOTO BY PNG MERLIN ARCHIVE Article content The rape allegations that destroyed professor Steven Galloway’s career a decade ago were never actually tested. Indeed, the woman who made them isn’t planning to defend their accuracy in a defamation trial scheduled to start next month. Article content If it sounds like you’ve heard about this case before, you probably have. Galloway, an author and member of the University of British Columbia creative writing program, had an affair with a grad student older than he was, starting in 2011. Both of them were married at the time. It ended sometime in 2013 — and then, the student began telling people she’d been raped. Article content RECOMMENDED VIDEOS Article content Article content Though the woman’s meetings with police and campus bureaucrats about her alleged rape never yielded charges, Galloway was fired in 2016. A judge hired to investigate what had transpired could not find evidence to support the sexual assault allegations (though she did find that sexual harassment, as defined by university policy, had occurred). The allegations made their way into public discourse where they brewed for two more years. In 2018, Galloway filed his lawsuit against his accuser and others. After years of process and delay, the trial is now imminent: Oct. 5. And with that, pieces are starting to fall into place. Article content Channel Israel Columnist Jesse Kline keeps you up to date with what’s happening in Israel and the effects of antisemitism on life here in Canada. Friday mornings. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content A pre-trial meeting last week in the Vancouver Supreme Court revealed that there are now eight defendants, including some of Galloway’s former colleagues at the university, who have agreed to settle…