McMaster sexual violence lawsuit filed by former student dismissed on consent
Warning: This story deals with allegations of sexual violence.
A lawsuit launched by a former McMaster University student against the university, saying it is liable for the alleged sexual advances, sexual harassment and sexual assault she was subjected to by professors, has been dismissed.
Court records show the lawsuit was dismissed on consent on May 31. It is not clear if the two parties reached a settlement.
The Spectator is not privy to the details of the dismissal or any settlement that may have been reached.
In an email to The Spectator, McMaster said the action was dismissed at an early stage of the proceedings."
The dismissal was done at the plaintiff's request," said Wade Hemsworth, McMaster spokesperson.
The plaintiff's lawyer did not respond to requests for comment. The Spectator has not named her as she is an alleged victim of sexual violence and her statement of claim requested she not be named publicly.
In a statement of claim filed January 13, 2021, the plaintiff, a McMaster PhD graduate, alleged she was subjected to sexual advances, sexual harassment and sexual assault and battery" by four faculty members - to differing degrees - in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour from 2013 to 2018. McMaster was aware, or should have been aware, of the sexual harassment, discriminatory behaviour, (and) other damages" she experienced, read the statement of claim.
She was suing for $770,000 in damages.
In a statement of defence filed April 1, McMaster denied most of the allegations and said she was not entitled to any damages.
One of the four professors named in the statement of claim was McMaster professor Scott Watter. Hamilton police charged Watter last June with sexual assault and sexual assault causing bodily harm involving a different female student in 2017. His case is slated to go to trial in August. Upon Watter's arrest in June 2020, his lawyer said the professor will be defending this matter fully and vigorously."
The statement of claim alleged Watter made sexual advances" toward the plaintiff and sexually assaulted her.
Among other things, Dr. Watter, for example, stroked her hair, placed his hand on her upper thigh and tried to hold her hand," the statement of claim alleged.
Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com