Abuses in the dance world: almost 40 percent of dancers still had to deal with it last year | Interior

Most cases involved verbal abuse (16 percent), followed by mental (12 percent), sexual (11 percent) and physical abuse (7 percent). This is shown by a representative population study that was conducted among 11,547 people.

Parents of dancing children also completed the questionnaires. These answers show that 29 percent of the children who dance in an organized context have been confronted with transgressive behavior in the past year.

These are just a few of the many research results that can be read in the more than three hundred page report by research agency Verinorm. The team spent months investigating transgressive behavior in the dance world, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and following reports from whistleblower Kim Koumans. The researchers state that they code of silence in the dance world has broken through. She stood up two years ago to address the abuses. Since then she has been fighting for a healthy and safe sector, free of abuses and sexual abuse.

Verinorm’s research consisted of a population study, followed by a more detailed phase. Almost 1000 respondents took part in this, both active dancers and former dancers. Of the people who are still active, 58 percent have had to deal with one or more forms of direct transgressive behavior in the past. In most cases it involves verbal abuse, mainly aimed at the weight of the dancer. A low number on the scale equaled the pinnacle of human beauty.

A certain weight classification would be circulating in the corridors: red, orange and green. Green stands for ‘too thin’, orange for ‘be careful’ and red for ‘too fat’. Those who fall into the latter category will not be chosen for a show or competition. The interviews with dancers show that many have a disturbed relationship with food and are not satisfied with their body image. Some developed an eating disorder as a result.

Other abuses mentioned are: gossip, bullying, discrimination, exclusion, coercion, blackmail and abuse of power. It is striking that not everyone identifies themselves as a victim of transgressive behaviour. This, while what they have experienced is of a cross-border nature.

In addition to completing questionnaires, 167 dancers were extensively interviewed. These conversations show that various dancers have had to deal with one or more forms of sexually transgressive behaviour. This mainly concerns unwanted intimate touches and/or remarks, but there is also talk of sexual images, messages with a sexual tint or, in a number of cases, rape.

During the interviews it becomes clear that some of the victims were still minors at the time of the incident. However, the large study shows that sexually transgressive behavior occurs less often in children than in adults.

Behavior that is unacceptable occurs in certain situations. For example, having private lessons where there is one-on-one contact between student and teacher is mentioned as a frequently cited possibility for transgressive behaviour, as is obtaining privileges. The interviews also show that especially (young) men are victims.

In every dance style, one in three has experienced transgressive behaviour. Particularly within modern/contemporary dance, musical/jazz/tap/show dance, urban styles and classical ballet, a large majority has experienced transgressive behavior in the past year.

According to the researchers, the sector is a closed world with a limited number of people in decisive positions. Dancers stay in the dance world for a long time, sometimes in a different position, such as teacher, jury member or choreo.