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Steve Kirby arrested, charged with sexual assault
Nearly year-long investigation included incidents dating back to 2014
MALAK ABAS, STAFF
Former U of M jazz professor
Steve Kirby has been arrested and charged with sexual assault.
Winnipeg police confirmed that members of the city’s sex crime unit had become involved after a U of M student in the faculty of music came forward with allegations of multiple instances of sexual assault.
“In June 2017, members of the sex crimes unit became involved in a historic sexual assault investigation” — WPS Const. Tammy Skrabek
“In June 2017, members of the sex crimes unit became involved in a historic sexual assault investigation,” Const. Tammy Skrabek said in an email.
“It was reported that a female student, who was 19 years old at the time, was enrolled in the music program in the University of Manitoba and was sexually assaulted on a number of occasions by her jazz professor. The incidents occurred between September 2014 and January 2017.”
Skrabek also confirmed in the
email that Kirby had been arrested on charges of sexual assault on May 9. He has been released since on a promise to appear. The case remains before the courts. Kirby is set to appear in court in June 2019.
Kirby officially left the university in June 2017 but had been on leave for the six months prior. Reports claim that the U of M was first approached with complaints against Kirby in 2012. He was hired at Boston-based Berklee College but was later fired after U of M students reached out to the college and said they had been harassed by Kirby.
A spokesperson for the U of M said in an email that only the Winnipeg Police Service would be able to comment on the case, and added that, as per U of M policy, the person coming forward would decide whether or not to report to police.
Last week, U of M president David Barnard held a media conference in which he apologized to students affected by incidents of inappropriate behaviour on campus and confirmed that Kirby had received a letter of employment from the university when transferring to Berklee College that “could be construed as supportive.”
It was confirmed after the meeting that there were currently five open investigations of members of faculty under the U of M’s respectful work and learning environment policy and sexual assault policy, and that three
involved some form of sexual assault or sexual harassment.
Several cases of sexual harassment by U of M professors toward students have become public in just over the
last year.
In August, oncologist and former associate dean at the faculty of medicine Gary Allan Joseph Harding was convicted of professional mis-
conduct and stripped of his medical licence after he allegedly made repeated sexual advances toward two students, both of whom said it was not consensual.
Students react to university response to sexual violence
“It is honestly very disappointing to see that it took so long for the administration to do anything about it”
MALAK ABAS, STAFF
As the U of M administration continues to develop its policies to combat and prevent sexual violence on campus, students have had an array of reactions and responses to several cases of sexual misconduct from professors toward students that have recently become public.
On Sept. 5, the first day of classes, U of M president and vice chancellor David Barnard called a press conference and issued an apology to students affected by inappropriate behaviour on campus.
It was reported last week that former jazz professor Steve Kirby has been arrested on charges of sexual assault relating to an alleged incident that occurred while he was a professor at the U of M.
Asim Ibrahim, a second-year student in the faculty of science, said the recent influx of news surrounding sexual violence on campus was indicative of a wider issue.
“It’s quite surprising that something like this would happen here,”
he said.
“Over the last year, we’ve heard many instances of sexual misconduct all over the place, but when it happens close to home, it serves as a clear reminder that this is a real problem everywhere and that everyone should deposit their efforts to make sure that post-secondary institutions should be safe for all students.” Christine Hildebrand, a fourth-year philosophy student in the faculty of arts, said she is concerned about the intentions of the administration after learning of the media conference and ensuing apology.
are primarily concerned about making themselves appear as though they care about the physical and mental safety of students as a way to protect themselves from losing students — and thus, losing money — in the future,” she said.
Hildebrand added that she hoped for improvements to the U of M’s
about caring for those who have suffered sexual violence, as well as other mental health concerns,” she said.
“At the very least, we need to have multiple counsellors who are welltrained in areas concerning sexual assault available on campus each day of the week. We need to have more mental health services available in general.”
“It’s quite surprising that something like this would happen here” — Asim Ibrahim, second-year science student
“Personally, I find it difficult to tell whether the administration’s apologies and promises to act against sexual violence on campus are coming from a place of concern and compassion for students […] or whether they
mental health services. As part of a release by Barnard on Sept. 5, it was announced the university will be expanding its support services for those affected by sexual violence.
“I also believe that mental health services, as they currently exist on campus, will need to undergo some changes if our university is serious
Third-year faculty of arts student Mohamed Soussi Gounni expressed concern over how long it took for the U of M to comment on the cases.
The university was first approached with complaints involving Kirby in 2012. He quietly retired in June 2017 after being on leave for six months. Winnipeg police became involved in the investigation in June 2017. Charges were laid in June 2018 relating to a 2014 incident.
“It is honestly very disappointing to
see that it took so long for the administration to do anything about it,” he said.
Gounni added that the focus on consent training seems like a positive first step. Student groups on campus can participate in consent workshops hosted by student group Justice for Women Manitoba, and it was announced at the media conference that all new faculty and new academic administrators “learn about consent culture, sexual violence policies and responding to disclosures” as a part of their orientation.
“I feel like mandatory consent training will be key to avoiding a similar situation from happening again,” he said.
“Jakob [Sanderson, UMSU president] and his team are on the right track, I believe, with the prioritization of consent culture, and the administration should seriously look into implementing it.”
With files from Qudus Abusaleh.
PHOTO BY MATT DUBOFF
PHOTO BY JEN DOERKSEN
Calgary's Michael Bernard Fitzgerald plays the night stage during the 17th annual Harvest Moon Festival Saturday.