What we know (and don't) about Mac's Psych department sex assault investigation
For months, McMaster University has been investigating what it calls potential systemic or cultural issues" linked to harassment and sexual violence allegations within the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, commonly known as PNB."
Last Thursday, Dec. 3, that investigation - or climate review" - came to a close.
The Spectator has been reporting on this investigation and the serious allegations" that sparked it from the beginning.
Below is a roundup of everything we know - and what we still don't - when it comes to the review and the separate investigations it has spurred:
What did the review uncover?
It uncovered systemic and cultural issues" within the department and a degree of complacency that has let inappropriate behaviours go unchecked."
The report highlighted five key themes: department culture; parties and alcohol/other substances; a lack of boundaries between faculty and students; non-sexual harassment; and a lack of accountability.
More than 25 people interviewed or surveyed reported witnessing or hearing of behaviour that could be described as sexual harassment." Reports included: male faculty making sexual advances or engaging in unwanted sexual attention toward female students; sexually inappropriate comments by faculty; inappropriate sexual behaviour between students; and sexual relationships between faculty and students."
The report referenced parties at faculty members' homes where people were drunk. Marijuana was reportedly consumed at some events.
Respondents raised concerns about blurring of boundaries" between students and faculty. Some described a boys' club mentality" and a culture that was toxic," elitist," cliquey" and gossipy." But others overwhelmingly" defended the department, calling it social" and friendly."
What happened leading up to the review?
In February 2020, McMaster's dean of science, Maureen MacDonald, sent an internal email to the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour informing them a faculty member - later confirmed to be associate professor Scott Watter - had been suspended following serious allegations" that could" involve the university's sexual violence policy. The university was investigating the allegations, MacDonald said.
In June, Watter, 46, was arrested and charged with sexual assault and sexual assault causing bodily harm. The alleged offences occurred in 2017 and involved a female student.
In late July, university president David Farrar went public with an update: during the university's investigation into Watter - undertaken through the university's sexual violence and discrimination and harassment policies - the university had received more complaints." It had asked anyone to reach out to help McMaster better understand any incidents that may have occurred." As a result of the new complaints, the university suspended two more PNB faculty members and barring them from campus.
What was the scope of the review/investigation?
Farrar's July letter said a directive had been issued that the initial investigation be broadened to identify any potential systemic or cultural issues within the (PNB) department that need to be surfaced and addressed."
Asked what prompted the broader investigation - which McMaster now calls a climate review" - McMaster spokesperson Wade Hemsworth said: The university quickly saw that this was something that needed more than the investigation of the individual complaints and the systemic review was initiated."
Arig al Shaibah, McMaster's associate vice-president of equity and inclusion, said the climate review was specifically looking at finding cultural and systemic issues within the department." However, investigations into violations of the university's sexual violence policy and/or discrimination harassment policies were uncovered throughout the review and took place alongside the review.
Those individual investigations remain ongoing.
While the review was ongoing, Hemsworth was asked if the review would be expanded to include other departments. He said the review will expand into any of the areas the investigator determines is necessary."
It was never expanded, despite those surveyed and interviewed for the review telling investigators it should be.
What was the purpose of the review/investigation?
The purpose of this investigation is to help us begin to understand what had occurred," Hemsworth said.
The university acknowledges it was prompted by serious allegations" of sexual harassment and sexual violence involving several members of the department.
Who has been sanctioned?
To date, seven people connected to McMaster's PNB department are facing sanctions. The first is Watter, an associate professor in the department who was suspended and banned from campus as of February 2020. He was arrested and charged with sexual assault and sexual assault causing bodily harm in June. All others remain unidentified.
Two faculty members were suspended and barred from campus in July after the university received more complaints" while looking into the Watter case.
An unnamed grad student in the department was suspended and barred from campus in August following new allegations" that relate to the university's sexual violence, and discrimination and harassment policies.
Also in August, an unnamed faculty member was banned from interacting with students after new allegations" arose.
In September, an unnamed department staffer was restricted from interacting with students after the university received an allegation" that is being investigated under the sexual violence policy. Announced the same day, an unnamed former department staffer who now works in another area of the university was placed on leave. The university had received a complaint of an alleged past sexual assault.
What do we know about the allegations against those who have been sanctioned?
Very little. In its updates, the university has said all allegations are being investigated under the university's sexual violence policy and/or discrimination and harassment policies.
Regarding the allegations against Watter, police have said his charges of sexual assault and sexual assault causing bodily harm are relating to incidents involving a female student in 2017.
The university has also said the allegation against the former PNB staffer who is working in a different department is related to a past sexual assault. Asked if this allegation was reported to police, the university said it can not speak to individual cases, but the university has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hamilton Police Service that requires disclosure when there is a report of sexual assault and certain other incidents made to the university."
The university did not answer questions about how many complainants have come forward, if all complainants are students, how far back the allegations date or if the allegations or cases are linked. What is clear is that all those sanctioned have a connection to the same department - PNB.
Are there other victims in the Watter case?
Police believe there are.
Police have spoken to other people involved and believe that there are other victims, however at their request, the investigation is not proceeding at this time," said Hamilton police spokesperson Jackie Penman.
Watter's lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.
Are police investigating other McMaster faculty members?
No. Penman said there are no active police investigations involving Watter or other individuals at McMaster.
How does McMaster define sexual violence and discrimination/harassment?
The university's sexual violence policy defines sexual violence as any sexual act or act targeting a person's sexuality, gender identity or gender expression, whether the act is physical or psychological in nature, that is committed, threatened or attempted against a person without the person's consent." It includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, indecent exposure, voyeurism and sexual exploitation.
The discrimination and harassment policy covers discrimination or harassment on such grounds as age; ancestry, colour, race; citizenship; ethnic origin; disability; family status; marital status; gender identity, gender expression; sex; and sexual orientation. This can include any comment or conduct that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome" and any discriminatory or harassing action and/or conduct, verbal or nonverbal, directed at or about one or more individuals or groups, that creates a poisoned environment which interferes with academic or work performance, in a manner that exceeds academic freedom."
Who conducted the investigation?
The investigation was conducted by Rubin Thomlinson LLP. The law firm's website describes it as a Canadian law firm focused solely on workplace and institutional investigations and assessments." The firm says its lawyers are trained in trauma-informed practice" and that the firm is discreet."
We recognize the sensitive nature of workplace and institutional investigations, and take great care to protect the privacy interests of all involved," the firm's website states.
Most recently, the firm investigated homophobic comments made by a Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee in November 2019. The firm's investigator determined, according to a report obtained by the Toronto Star, that trustee Michael Del Grande violated the trustee code of conduct.
How did investigators gather feedback?
A total of 262 people, including faculty, staff, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, some department undergraduates and some alumni, were invited to participate in the review.
Of those, 114 participated in a survey and 35 participated in one-on-one interviews.
The Spectator requested a copy of the survey but was told it was part of the confidential investigation."
How did department faculty, students and staff feel amid the review?
The Spectator reached out to dozens of faculty members, staff and students to ask about the review. Students who responded said they were largely unaware of why the investigation is taking place. Some said they were disturbed by the allegations. One faculty member responded to say: Our department has received more than enough attention from the media."
The review report states some individuals took offence" to the review.
They felt that the systemic review was premature, and that it cast the entire department in a negative light when allegations had not yet been proven," the report stated. They described the negative impact that such a review was having on their reputations and the reputation of the department."
What happens now?
Dean of science, Maureen MacDonald, says she is committed to ensuring the department sees positive change."
Responding to the report, the university said it will commit to trauma-informed" training for faculty and staff set to take place in early 2021. It will provide training for students on sexual harassment and the resources and supports available." It will look at ways to limit and restrict alcohol consumption at department events. It will bring in more equity, diversity and inclusion experts to help ensure that any future concerns are dealt with expeditiously and appropriately."
Investigations into breaches of the university's sexual violence and discrimination and harassment policies remain ongoing.
Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com