HALIFAX -- Police in Halifax are reviewing misogynistic comments about female dentistry students at Dalhousie University allegedly made by their male classmates to determine if a criminal investigation is warranted, the force said Wednesday.
Const. Pierre Bourdages confirmed that the university provided them with copies of the comments made on a deactivated Facebook page.
But he did not know how much information was given to police or the nature of it. It also wasn't clear how long the review would take.
"There is no investigation going on right now," he said. "We have no complaint or evidence of criminal wrongdoing. ... We're now reviewing it."
In an email Wednesday, Dalhousie spokesman Brian Leadbetter said the school has "shared the requested information" but offered no other details.
The development came after Bourdages said Tuesday that Dalhousie had initially refused the request to provide the postings based on student privacy concerns, but then indicated it would co-operate.
Police said they would be interested in talking to women who were featured on the Facebook page and feel that they were affected by the posts.
"If any of these alleged victims believe they've been victimized criminally, we would like to speak with them and see what they have to say," Bourdages said, adding that no one has filed a formal complaint about the posts.
Reports of the offensive posts and the university's initial response prompted rallies and calls for the expulsion of the 13 students.
The Facebook page at the centre of the controversy has been taken down.
The fourth-year students who were part of the Facebook group have been ordered to attend classes remotely and are suspended from clinical duties, which could affect their ability to graduate.
