Teacher at Utrecht circus school sexually abused teen pupils for at least 10 years

A teacher at the Diedom circus school in Utrecht sexually abused teenage pupils for at least ten years. The abuse included “actual sexual contact,” inappropriate comments, unwanted touching, and online contact via social media, the circus school’s board said in a letter to parents, NOS reports.

The school engaged an external agency to investigate multiple reports from current and former pupils about inappropriate behavior by the teacher. The investigators concluded that the teacher was guilty of sexually inappropriate behavior with teenage children. “This occurred at least between 2010 and 2020. The behavior occurred both during and outside of Diedom’s circus classes.”

The circus school told NOS that they suspended the man in December 2024, and he will not return. The board did not disclose how many children are involved.

New classes will start at the circus school in 2.5 weeks. “We’re looking forward to it, but it’s also nerve-wracking for the teachers,” board member Eefje Nienhuis told the broadcaster. Teachers always have physical contact with pupils. “It’s a contact sport, where you have to support pupils.”

Diedom has published a code of conduct for the circus school, stating that teachers must have a Certificate of Good Conduct and that private contact between teachers and pupils is prohibited. The school will also discuss with the teachers how to talk to pupils about the physical contact that is required for learning the sport and inappropriate behavior.

“We are already surveying the students about the social culture,” said Nienhuis. “We’ve appointed an external confidential counselor and a contact person from the board to ensure someone can contact us directly.”