Case of McMaster prof charged with sexual assault heading to trial
A case involving a McMaster University professor charged with sexual assault is heading to trial.
Scott Watter, an associate professor in McMaster's Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, appeared virtually in Hamilton court Thursday morning to set dates for trial. The trial is slated to begin Aug. 12, 2021 and is expected to run until Nov. 30, 2021.
In June, Hamilton police charged Watter, 46, with sexual assault and sexual assault causing bodily harm for incidents that occurred in 2017 involving a female student.
Watter has been suspended and barred from McMaster campus since Februrary 2020.
In June, Jeff Manishen, Watter's lawyer, said the professor will be defending this matter fully and vigorously."
We look forward to challenging these allegations at trial, whenever it may take place," Manishen said. In the meantime, it's important to keep in mind that Dr. Watter is presumed in law to be innocent of the charges."
Police said at the time there may be other victims. As of December, police maintained there are other victims but at their request, the investigation is not proceeding at this time," said Hamilton police spokesperson Jackie Penman.
In the wake of the charges laid against Watter, McMaster launched a climate review" of its Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour. The review looked at potential systemic or cultural issues" linked to harassment and sexual violence allegations. It was conducted by an external law firm and was complete in early December.
The review report revealed systemic and cultural issues" within the department and a degree of complacency that has let inappropriate behaviours go unchecked."
Throughout the review, six people connected to the department were sanctioned for allegations relating to the university's sexual violence and discrimination and harassment policies. Those sanctioned include a grad student, three faculty members, a current staff member and a former staff member. None have been named. Few details are known about why they were sanctioned. The university said recently investigations are still ongoing.
The Spectator has been investigating McMaster's handling of sexual violence in the wake of the review and the charges against Watter. Survivors have told The Spec McMaster fails them and protects perpetrators. Advocates, experts and survivors have called on the university to review its sexual violence policy. To date, the university has resisted the calls.
Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com