Judge keeps accuser anonymous as Galloway trial continues

A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has continued a publication ban protecting the identity of a woman known as A.B. as the defamation trial brought by author and former University of British Columbia professor Steven Galloway proceeds. The court has not determined whether the parties are liable or whether damages are owed, and the underlying allegations remain unresolved. Justice Neena Sharma ruled that identifying A.B. would create objective harms and specific risks, and said anonymity was consistent with protecting the privacy and dignity of sexual assault complainants. The order is temporary: it expires within six weeks of a ruling in the case, though A.B. may apply to extend it. A.B. is not participating in the trial, with the judge citing her fragile mental state, including suicide attempts. Galloway is suing A.B. and others, alleging they defamed him by repeating accusations of assault online and in other forums. Four defendants remain in the case. The lawsuit was filed in 2018, after allegations became public in 2015. Galloway was never charged, but was fired from his position at UBC.