‘’The accused has seriously abused the trust placed in her by the two underage swimmers and their parents in her role as a swimming coach within the club.’’ Today, a 21-year-old woman appeared in court in Zwolle for the sexual abuse of two underage swimmers. A case that has not only had a significant impact on the victims but also on their parents, the swimming club, and the swimming world in general, as argued by the public prosecutor.
The woman was one of the swimming coaches at a swimming club. In that capacity, she is accused of having sexually abused two girls who swam within the club, then about 14 years old, during two periods. The first instance occurred from late 2020 to early 2021 when the coach was just over 17 years old. In the period from late 2023 to early 2024, she allegedly committed sexual offenses again at the age of 20, according to the Public Prosecution Service. Additionally, recordings were made that can be classified as child pornography.
The public prosecutor emphasized that the coach abused her position within the club, as the victims were dependent on her. Through manipulation and control, she continued to compel the victims to engage in immoral acts.
The prosecutor stated in his indictment that the woman has not only violated the physical but also the mental integrity of these girls. ’’Victims of abuse typically experience long-term negative psychological effects, with a corresponding strong reduction in quality of life, often requiring therapy. Such psychological traumas also bring about various practical consequences, such as declining performance in education and work or in elite sports,’’ said the public prosecutor.
However, the impact of the case affects not only the swimmers and their parents but extends much further: ‘’Parents of young children who have a swimming coach will likely ask themselves: How safe is my child with this coach? Can I trust him or her?’’ said the prosecutor. ‘’Also, youth swimming coaches may feel they have been placed in a bad light by this case and may have felt hindered or uncomfortable in performing their duties for some time. Overall, the misconduct of this accused does not benefit the overall image of youth swimming sports.’’
Although the woman was still a minor during the first abuse period, the Public Prosecution Service considers prosecution under adult criminal law appropriate. In deciding whether to choose juvenile criminal law, adolescent criminal law, or adult criminal law, the probation service was consulted for advice. The probation service sees no reason to deviate from the principle of applying adult criminal law based on the mental capabilities and development of the woman.
The woman has a clean criminal record but seems hardly aware of the seriousness of her actions, according to the public prosecutor. For these offenses, no community service can be imposed, and the Public Prosecution Service does not consider community service appropriate. Given the severity of the abuse over an extended period and the existence of a relationship of dependency and trust, the prosecutor finds a prison sentence of 30 months, of which 10 months conditionally, appropriate. By imposing special conditions that apply during the three-year probation period, the chance of recidivism must be limited. The public prosecutor further requested the court to impose a contact ban with the victims.