‘Sexually curious’ boy still not attending school

4 March 2004

AMSTERDAM — A five-year-old boy who was suspended from a Nijmegen school in October last year due to allegations of aggression and sexual misconduct is still not attending lessons.

Due to the fact the boy is obliged under Dutch law to attend school, Arnhem Court is arbitrating between his parents and a primary school that might accept him, newspaper Algemeen Dagblad reported on Thursday.

As a pre-condition for accepting him, the school has demanded that an extensive investigation be conducted into his behaviour. The boy has not attended school for four months because his parents are opposed to the demand.

The management of the Prins Clausschool refused permission for the boy to attend school at the start of October last year after reports of “unusual, sexually-investigative behaviour”.

A police report was not filed because the boy is too young to be prosecuted and it is therefore not 100 percent certain if the allegations are true.

The boy is accused of touching the sexual parts of similarly-aged pupils and pushing sticks into their bottoms. He is also alleged to have kicked and beaten children.

His parents have refused an investigation because they believe that their child will be considered guilty in advance and do not believe the statements of children or their parents.

The boy’s parents lodged legal action with Arnhem Court in a bid to send the child to a new school. The court refused to hand down a ruling, but urged negotiations between the parents and the school to solve their differences.

A child cannot be examined without the consent of parents. If youth social workers believe it is necessary — such as in cases of suspected child abuse or assault — an expert can be called in to examine the child.

But a children’s magistrate must first place the child under the supervision of the Youth Care Bureau. The situation has not developed so far in Nijmegen.

Neither the youth care bureau nor would the Council for the Protection of Children comment further due to privacy concerns for those involved. But a council spokesman said everything possible will be done to achieve the co-operation of the boy’s parents and that may take a long time.

[Copyright Expatica News 2004]

Subject: Dutch news