UPDATE: On Monday, Jan. 28, the assault charge against John Kissick was dropped in court. Kissick and former girlfriend Talia Yeo, have agreed to enter into a mutual peace bond.
Ex-girlfriend Talia Yeo says she is thankful for student support following video post online
John Kissick, a fine arts professor at U of G and co-founder of Four Fathers Brewing Co., is currently facing two charges of assault and one charge of assault with a weapon. The charges follow a video posted to the Facebook and Instagram pages of Talia Yeo, Kissick’s ex-girlfriend.
In the video, a man paces in front of the camera, picks up an unknown object, and appears to strike the person holding the camera. A female voice speaks to the man and he responds as the video unfolds. The video is no longer publicly available.
Kissick has been placed on leave by U of G while a review is underway. The director of Fine Arts, Sally Hickson, had no comment regarding Kissick’s ongoing review.
Yeo spoke to The Ontarion about the charges against Kissick and said that she found strength and healing through coming forward publicly.
“It was less about the help for me,” she said. “I had just had enough. […] It was a cathartic experience.”
According to Yeo, within 48 hours of coming forward, other professors had watched the video, and unfollowed her accounts shortly after.
“Because of how the university sort of dealt with it, they were aware of [it] a little bit before. People were aware that this was coming out, and he was still allowed to teach, and that’s what was horrifying for what I feel like is many students, and especially many survivors,” she said.
Over 70 of Kissick’s students came forward with a joint statement of support for Yeo, which can be viewed online at canadianart. Among the numerous current and former students who signed the statement were well-known local artists: Amanda Boulos, Ambera Wellmann, Patrick Cruz, and Tiziana La Melia. The statement reads: “We believe the fact that charges being laid demonstrates the seriousness of the situation,” and that the students have the “utmost respect for Talia.” The statement continues: “we would like to highlight that systematic barriers often prevent women coming forward with such allegations,” and that they “will be monitoring closely as the court determines how this case will proceed.”
Kissick responded to The Ontarion’s request for comment with a statement sent from his U of G email address.
“I look forward to the truth coming out, clearing my name and moving on with my normal life, which I miss terribly,” wrote Kissick, who went on to thank his family, friends, and colleagues for their support.
“Given that this matter is currently before the courts, I won’t be able to make any further comment until the case is resolved and my name is cleared,” Kissick concluded the statement.
Kissick was in court on Nov. 6, and has another scheduled court date on Dec. 11.
Photo courtesy of Talia Yeo