'Now is the time' to address sexual assault concerns, says UBC's director of investigations

The new director of investigations for the University of British Columbia says "now is the best time" for young women to be open about sexual harassment or inappropriate conduct and demand change from institutions.

Myrna McCallum,a former Crown prosecutor and defence lawyer, spoke to a crowd Wednesdayat UBC's Okanagan campus in recognition ofSexual Assault Awareness Month. She did notdiscuss the allegations that surfaced earlier this monthagainst UBC professor Stephen Porter.

"I don't want to comment specifically on the Porter issue. I had no involvement in any decision-making process," said McCallum, who assumed her new role in August.

"But in my experience, anything negative or perceived to be negative, could always be used as a catalyst for something positive."

Allegations against UBCOprofessor

Porter, an award-winning forensic psychology expert at UBCO, stepped aside from teaching duties after his practice was placed under supervision by the B.C. College of Psychologists with a "particular focus on" sexual harassment and boundary issues.

Two complainants have come forward to CBC, one alleging Porter sexually harassed her and another alleging he groped her. However the university has not disclosed the nature of the allegations due to privacy concerns.

An investigation commissioned byUBCin 2017found that, in the alleged harassment case, the relationship between Porter and the student was consensual although it did violate the university's conflict of interest rules.

In the alleged groping case, the same investigator found Porter did touchthe complainant, but hewas too drunk to form sexual intent. However, his inebriated statedid breachUBC'srespectful environment statement.

McCallumsays while the university is withholding details of the allegations, the fact that UBC has a new sexual assault policy "says a lot about UBC's commitment and intention going forward."

'Speak out about it'

She referenced the global #MeToo movement which has seen a wave of sexual assault allegationsagainst numerous high-profile mensaying UBC students should share their concerns.

"If people feel that [the Porter case] is a demonstration of institutional betrayal versus institutional trust, then they can speak out about it," said McCallum.

"Now is the time to be really open about what is on everybody's minds. Now is the best time to come forward and say exactly what you're thinking."

As part of her new role, McCallum will collaborate with the school's Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office and will oversee future investigations related to harassment and sexual misconduct.

The school says such offices have now been established at both the Okanagan and Vancouver campuses.

• UBCprof complainants 'devastated' he was back on campus this term

With files from CBC's Brady Strachan.