Complainant in Owolabi case says sanctions too lenient
A Labrador City woman who filed a complaint against Dr. Adekunle Owolabi for making graphic sexual remarks during an exam says a six-month suspension isn't long enough.
Owolabi was found guilty of four counts of professional misconduct Monday at a tribunal held by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Arlene Johnson is one of four women who testified Owolabi made crude remarks. Others also accused him of inappropriate touching.
"I don't think it's enough, certainly. I had hoped he would lose his license," she said.
Johnson testified that Owolabi made "very sexual" comments during a pelvic exam in 2014.
She said he asked her if she wanted the "big" speculum and whispered, "You have a beautiful c--t, does your husband tell you that?"
'I had to tell the truth'
Johnson said she's faced scrutiny since going public with her complaint.
"It's been very hard because there's a lot of negative rumours … that I was in it for the money, that I was lying, that I was in cahoots with other people. So it's been difficult."
Johnson, a high school teacher, said she thought of the other complainants and of her students when faced with the criticism.
"I had to tell the truth, it was killing me to keep it hidden because I was afraid that it would happen to somebody else," she said.
"Honestly, if a student had reported it to me, I would be legally obligated to report it to social services or whatever department … so it just made sense."
Johnson said she feels vindicated after the tribunal found Owolabi guilty. She said she doesn't regret coming forward — in fact, she wishes she had done so sooner.
"I had to live with that guilt, knowing that maybe if I had come forward earlier, maybe he would have been stopped earlier, or maybe it wouldn't have happened to someone else."
Lingering fears
These days, Johnson has a new doctor but said she's still not entirely comfortable being treated.
She avoided the hospital for a year after Owolabi made the sexual remarks and wonders if other doctors are nervous around her too.
"I feel like maybe they're looking at me, and I feel uncomfortable … you don't know anymore, you kind of lose a little faith," she said.
"But my doctor now, he seems like a lovely doctor."
