Sex abuse reports at schools at highest in 15 years

The number of reports of sexual abuse and discrimination at Dutch schools increased last year. The Education Inspectorate received 134 reports of sexual abuse in the school year 2017/2018, the highest number in 15 years, NU.nl reports.

In nearly half of the reports about pupils being sexually abused, the accused perpetrator is someone who works at the school, such as a teacher or a member of the non-teaching staff, according to the Inspectorate. The number of reports about sexual harassment decreased, the Inspectorate said.

The number of reports about discrimination especially increased at primary schools. The number of incidents in which pupils were discriminated against due to their immigration background nearly doubled, from 25 percent in 2017 to 42 percent last year.

Like in previous years, the confidential inspectors noted that the reports made to the Inspectorate are increasingly complex, intense and urgent.

Earlier this week the Netherlands' child pornography hotline also reported an alarming increase in the number of reports it received last year.