Defendant in author Steven Galloway’s defamation case to remain anonymous
VANCOUVER — The British Columbia Supreme Court has granted anonymity to a defendant in the long-running defamation case brought by author and University of B.C. professor Steven Galloway.
The judge says the woman, referred to as A.B., has shown that identifying her would carry objective harms and specific risks, and allowing anonymity is in line with protecting the privacy and dignity of sexual assault complainants.
Justice Neena Sharma says the woman has withdrawn her defence of her statements against Galloway as justified, but has not admitted that her accusations are false and the court can’t make assumptions about truth or falsity until it hears all evidence.
Galloway’s defamation lawsuit was originally filed in 2018 against various defendants who allegedly defamed him online and in other forums by repeating unproven allegations of rape and sexual assault.
