A rare move by Western University to cancel a concert by an American R&B performer caught up in a sexual assault controversy is being applauded by the head of an abused women’s centre and criticized by a veteran defence lawyer.

Western University pulled the plug on a performance by Sean Kingston, scheduled to play a show Saturday to cap off Orientation Week festivities, after learning the Miami-born singer recently settled a sexual assault lawsuit out of court.

“I think it’s a really strong stand to take in favour of woman who are attending the university. I’m 100% behind Western,” Megan Walker, executive-director of the London Abused Women’s Centre, said Sunday.

“It sends a message that Western University is standing behind its sexual violence policy.”

But London defence lawyer Gord Cudmore said Kingston hasn’t been convicted on any criminal or civil charges, and the university should respect the principle of innocent until proven guilty.

“I think it’s wrong. One person is making serious allegations about him that haven’t been tested in court. It’s always dangerous when you make start making decisions that affects someone’s livelihood based on one side of the story.”

Kingston, 23, was slapped with a $5-million civil lawsuit by a woman, 22. She claims she was forced to have sex with Kingston and two other men at a Seattle hotel following a Justin Bieber concert in July 2010, according to gossip website TMZ.

Though Kingston faced criminal charges in 2010, all charges were later dropped.

Administration and the University Students’ Council made the decision to scrap the show.

“We just didn’t think that it was the right move to have Sean Kingston (here) when he was surrounded by this kind of issue,” said Susan Grindrod, associate vice-president of housing and ancillary services at Western.

“We made our decision . . . based on what we believe is in the best interest of our orientation program and the first-year students.”

But Don Jones, a London entertainment-industry veteran who runs Centennial Hall, said he’s never cancelled a show because of a performer’s public problems.

“I’m lucky, it’s never happened to me,” he said Sunday.

With a first-year class of 6,500 students — 5,000 of them living in residence — Western’s Orientation Week includes a component on sexual-violence prevention.

Kingston, who last played London in 2010, is still being paid for the show, said USC president Patrick Whelan, who didn’t disclose how much Kingston pocketed.

“It’s a cost we’re willing to incur to keep with our values,” Whelan said.

The cancellation has left the USC scrambling to find another act for Saturday. So far, no announcement has been made.

With files from Free Press reporter Hank Daniszewski

dale.carruthers@sunmedia.ca

twitter.com/DaleatLFPress

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Sean Kingston

23 years old; born in Miami.

Shot to fame with 2007 hit Beautiful Girls.

Touring to promote new album Back 2 Life.

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Online reaction

"So let me get this straight, criminal charges against Kingston were dropped by law enforcement. Yet, this girl has chosen to go after Kingston for his money and for her 15 minutes of fame, so in light of that, Western has chosen to cancel a contractual agreement with Kingston."

Bob Gordon

"This move by Western speaks to the principles of the week, as in promoting awareness and action against sexual harassment. This move should not speak to the innocence or guilt of the individual. Good move by Western playing it safe, but no one should take that as a sign that this individual is guilty of sexual assault."

Scott Andrews

"The case was already settled when Western made its decision. She got her 15 minutes of fame, and a bundle of cash to boot."

Paul Shepperd