Dalhousie dentistry student speaks for 1st time about Facebook scandal

A male dentistry student in Dalhousie Universitys class of 2015 says the past three months have been "a pretty wild ride,"but that he supports his classmates even though they brought scandal to the school.

Ben Lawlor spoke exclusively with CBC News Tuesday morning, saying the fallout from the scandal has been "tough on all of us."

"Its tough because we know these guys and we know our class so well. Just to see the way its been spun.I dont know. What they did was wrong, but when you know them, its harder to take it serious because you know theyre good people. They said something stupid."

Lawlor said hes forgiven them, and hopes others will too.

If somebody screws up in your family, you can't just cut them off. You eventually learn to forgive that hurt and move on. Ben Lawlor, Dalhousie dentistry student

"It seems like [the women] have forgiven the guys and are excited to have the guys back in. Dentistry is a family," he said. "If somebody screws up in your family, you cant just cut them off. You eventually learn to forgive that hurt and move on."

But at least four women havent taken part in the restorative justice process. Lawlorsaid he has "no hard feelings" toward them.

He doesnt think the men should be named. "I dont see any good that would come of it. If someones uncomfortable with their dentist, or they want to know, I think every person definitely should and every person has the ability to ask their dentist," he said.

He acknowledged the dentist could just lie and say he wasn't involved. "I dont have the answer for that."

But Lawlor saidpublishing their names online would "haunt them for the rest of their lives."

"Theyre already going through a difficult time with their family and friends and career right now. I would rather it be dealt with in private. Let the dental boards deal with each person individually."

He said different mendid different things in the Facebook group, and naming all would paint them all with the same brush.

Lawlor went through the restorative justice because he was in the class. "It was tough for me because Im close with some of the girls involved and some of the guys. Its been tough just staying neutral and offering support to both sides."

Lawlor said hed never heard the word "misogynistic" before. Hesaid he wasnt qualified to say if the Facebook posts were misogynistic.

Hes the first member of the class to speak publicly about the damagecaused by classmates who were members of the Class of DDS 2015 Gentlemen Facebook group.

'Immature' college humour

Lawlor was not a member of the nowinfamous Facebook group,when itwas exposed in December.

He said he was a member of the group in first year, but "left mostly for personal reasons."At the time, "it was just more immature college humour than anything terrible."

Thirteen members of the class of 2015 were suspended from clinical practice for their membership in the group, after CBC News reported on misogynistic postings that stretched back for months.

In one, group members voted on which classmate they would have hate sex with. In another, dated May 2013, a member defines a penis as "the tool used to wean and convert lesbians and virgins into useful, productive members of society."

Lawlor told CBC News he still counts the guysamong his friends.

He said he feels the restorative justice process which has been underway at the school for weeks has been "fantastic" as a tool to help repair relationships within the class.

"They all feel bad for their part ... and they want to make things right," he said of the men."The guys are genuinely sorry for what theyve done."

Last week, the university said 12 men had returned to clinic duties. A 13th member, Ryan Millet, would be allowed to return, but according to his lawyer only after admitting guilt to professional misconduct.

There is no word yet on Millets decision.

Guatemala fundraiser falls short

Lawlorsaid he spoke out now to raise awareness of a trip he organized to Guatemala. Several students (not including the thensuspended men) went in February.Lawlorand the others treated about 400 patients, providing 300 fillings, 12 dentures and 800 extractions.

Lawlorsaid the group hoped to raise $20,000 to fund the work.

We were going to do somefundraisingover the Christmas break, but we didnt do that, he said.

They did eventually raise under $8,000.

We actually had quite a bit of positive response, he said.

He hopes the group will be able to go again next year.