It is the question on countless lips in Onkerzele, East Flanders, in recent days: how could this abuse go unnoticed in their nursery and primary school? The management of De Springplank was also shocked when they learned that teacher Thijs D. (38) sexually abused toddlers and made images of it. “We are really sad and frustrated,” says director Filip Santens. “Because there was no signal that anything was wrong. Not from colleagues, children or parents. I can assure you that it is a very big shock for the school.”
“It is also extremely difficult for our teachers, knowing that he did things with children and no one noticed. Much remains unclear to us. So we are waiting to see how the investigation progresses and hope that we will get answers: what really happened, how did it happen and how could it happen?” says the director. The school also became a civil party in the case in order to gain access to the file. “Because I hope from the bottom of my heart that we can inform our parents as soon as possible whether or not their child is a victim. That is my priority now.”