Full Breakdown
Allegations of Sexual Assault and Racial Abuse at Harvard-Westlake Water Polo Program
3/6/2026, 9:46:45 PM
Overview of the Lawsuit
Aidan Romain, an 18-year-old former water polo player at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, has filed a lawsuit alleging that he endured a prolonged campaign of sexual assault and racial harassment by teammate Lucca van der Woude and others during his time on the team. The lawsuit claims that the abuse occurred from August 2022 until February 2024, with Romain being subjected to racial slurs, physical abuse, and sexual assault, all while the school administration allegedly failed to take appropriate action.
Details of the Allegations
The lawsuit outlines multiple incidents where Romain was reportedly assaulted, including being digitally penetrated by van der Woude during practices and in the locker room. Romain claims that he was called the N-word daily and was whipped with exercise bands in a degrading manner reminiscent of slavery. The complaint asserts that the abuse was part of a broader culture of violence and humiliation within the water polo program, facilitated by the coaching staff and school administration.
Romain's attorney, Daniel Watkins, emphasized that the core of the lawsuit is the school's failure to protect Romain and to report the assaults to law enforcement as mandated. The complaint alleges that Romain's parents notified school officials of the abuse, but the school did not take the necessary steps to investigate or address the situation.
School's Response and Investigation
Harvard-Westlake School has publicly disputed many of the allegations, stating that it treated reports of inappropriate behavior with urgency and seriousness. The school claims it complied with mandatory reporting obligations and cooperated with law enforcement. However, the lawsuit alleges that the school engaged in a cover-up to protect van der Woude, facilitating his transfer to another school without addressing the allegations against him.
In February 2024, van der Woude was arrested on campus for sexual assault, and he later admitted in juvenile court to digitally penetrating a minor. The court subsequently issued a no-contact order between him and Romain.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of the school, including Romain's family, argue that the institution failed to protect its students and allowed a toxic environment to persist. Romain's father expressed outrage over the lack of action taken by the school despite multiple reports of abuse. The lawsuit has raised broader questions about accountability and oversight in elite youth sports programs, particularly regarding the protection of student-athletes from harassment and assault.
What's Next
The legal proceedings are ongoing, with both sides preparing to present their arguments in court. Romain has expressed a desire to return to the United States to pursue his education and athletic aspirations, including hopes of representing the U.S. in the Olympics.
Verbatim Quotes
- “LinkedIn He said: “It was very difficult on a daily basis to deal with the racial abuse and the sexual abuse.” — Aidan Romain, Plaintiff
- “The core of the lawsuit is that the school failed to protect Aidan,” — Daniel Watkins, Attorney for Romain
- “Harvard-Westlake will not offer specific comment other than to say that it unequivocally disputes many of these allegations that mischaracterize facts and the school's actions,” — Harvard-Westlake School Statement
- “ Regarding the civil suit, his attorneys added: “We do not intend to litigate this matter in the media.” — Michael Artan, Attorney for Lucca van der Woude
This case highlights significant issues surrounding the treatment of student-athletes and the responsibilities of educational institutions to ensure a safe environment for all students.
