Key Takeaways
• Dutch students lived with refugees face abuse. ||| • Housing project turned into ordeal in Amsterdam. ||| • Reports of physical abuse, neglect, and threats. ||| • Legal barriers delayed action against dangerous individual. ||| • Systemic failures led to ongoing safety concerns.
An Experiment in Housing Turns Into an Ordeal
According to testimonies of over 100 Dutch students living together with refugees in Amsterdam since 2019, local authorities promoted shared housing arrangements as a joint solution to student and refugee housing shortages; yet instead exposed students to violence, abuse, and trauma, as reported in testimonies submitted.
Stek Oost was an innovative housing project which housed equal numbers of students and refugees and actively encouraged interactions between the groups so as to help refugees integrate more smoothly into Dutch society.
There have been allegations of repeated acts of physical abuse and neglect at this location
Investigations broadcast on Dutch television revealed that students experienced sexual assault, harassment, physical violence and threats over five years – some reporting being threatened with knives while others described frequent fights in corridors and common areas. Many victims complained repeatedly to authorities only for them to ignore or disregard them as valid claims.
One woman reported being sexually assaulted after agreeing to watch a movie in a refugee’s room under the impression that it would help teach Dutch. Once inside she says she was prevented from leaving and attacked before reporting the incident in 2019. Unfortunately though police cited insufficient evidence in their decision not to pursue prosecution of this incident.
Delay Action and Legal Barriers to Action taken against an Institution
Six months later, another resident raised concerns about this same individual, notifying housing managers that women in the complex were unsafe and warning local authorities of potential danger. Eviction was ultimately not legally possible so this individual remained living there until his arrest in March 2022 and eventual sentencing in 2024 for two rapes.
Housing managers reported receiving information suggesting a gang rape occurred at their complex during the summer of 2023, though police confirmed receiving multiple sexual assault complaints linked to this site but had no record of an allegation for such activity.
Systemic Failure and Ongoing Fallout
Officials recognized that unacceptable behavior does occur within refugee housing complexes; however, due to existing laws it can be challenging to take appropriate action without convictions being issued against individuals responsible. Since opening in 2018, numerous incidents have taken place here including previous assault cases committed by one individual against multiple others within one complex.
Although local authorities did not comply with requests by the managing company to close down the complex as early as 2023, its operating contract will eventually run out and close at that point – until then students and staff remain physically and psychologically exhausted by years of fear, stress, and responsibility for safety in an overwhelming environment.
