Dutch mull measures to fight sexual abuse in sport

Dutch Sports Minister Bruno Bruins [PHOTO: COURTESY]

The Dutch government and a top sporting body said Tuesday they were considering new measures to fight sexual abuse in sport after a damning report said assault was a "common" problem.

Sports Minister Bruno Bruins said the cabinet was now looking at introducing new laws, including making it compulsory to report any complaints of sexual abuse, Dutch media said.

A commission set up in May to probe sexual abuse in sport released its 228-page report on Tuesday saying "sexual harassment and abuse in sport is common" in The Netherlands, and calling for tougher measures against offenders.

The Hague-based commission's investigation follows a sexual abuse scandal in Britain, where several former professional football players -- and at least two Dutch ex-first division youth players -- revealed they had been sexually abused.

Bruins said he would study the findings closely and meet with top sporting leaders as soon as possible.

"Sexual harassment and abuse are not tolerated and every single complaint should be taken seriously," Bruins told the ANP news agency.

The commission which surveyed some 2,000 Dutch citizens between the ages of 18 and 50 said at least 12 percent of Dutch adults who played a sport as a child have been exposed to "at least one experience of sexually unacceptable behaviour."

Four percent of them reported serious forms of sexual abuse including assault and rape, the report said.

In most cases, the assaults were committed by fellow players and not trainers, the report said, adding that most of the incidents happened to children younger than 16 years old.