Douglas Todd: Central figure in rape allegations against former UBC prof Steven Galloway apologizes

The former student who launched and sustained public allegations of rape and sexual assault against UBC professor and novelist Steven Galloway has issued an extensive and “unreserved” apology.

Chelsea Rooney, who obtained a master’s degree in creative writing from UBC, signed the two-page apology a week before the beginning of the Oct. 5 trial at which Galloway’s remaining accusers are scheduled to defend themselves against the noted author’s accusation that they defamed him.

Rooney’s apology, plus those of several other defendants, represent the latest turn in a decade-long saga that has torn apart Canada’s literary community and garnered international attention. Last month, the former student who alleged Galloway had raped her, known as “A.B.”, said she no longer intends to testify.

Rooney was the most high-profile public opponent of the scores of Canadian literary figures who in 2016 signed a public statement titled UBC Accountable, including Margaret Atwood, Carmen Aguirre and John Vaillant. They called on the university to follow due process while investigating complaints.

After the signatories of UBC Accountable were excoriated and accused of doubting survivors and reinforcing “rape culture,” several famous Canadian authors withdrew their names, including Miriam Toews, Wayne Johnston and Madeleine Thien.

One signatory who has closely followed Galloway’s case, former Vancouver poet laureate Brad Cran, said the controversy continues to divide Canadian authors, with some signatories saying they have been ostracized by former friends, writers’ festivals, granting agencies and publishers.

In the midst of these wider shock waves, Rooney now says she “deeply apologizes” for the harm she has for years caused Galloway, his family and others.

“I wrongfully accused Mr. Galloway of rape and sexual assault, with no knowledge of whether it was true. I recognize that my conduct was reckless and deeply unfair to Mr. Galloway. I regret it and retract my statements. I unreservedly apologize to Mr. Galloway, his family and others for the harm caused by my statements and conduct,” says the short version of Rooney’s apology, which is scheduled to run in an ad in Saturday’s National Post.

Rooney also says she regrets the role she played when UBC — as well as writing professors Keith Maillard and Annabel Lyon — asked her to build a case against Galloway by independently collecting complaints about him from up to 20 former students and others.

Galloway, the author of the bestselling novels The Cellist Of Sarajevo and The Confabulist, had been a mentor to Rooney. Although Galloway received $227,000 in damages from UBC for its mishandling of his termination, he has been unable to write. At one point he said he considered suicide. He now sells boats to make a living.