Former Water Polo Player Speaks Out About Racism, Sexual Assault, and Lack of Accountability at Prestigious Los Angeles School

A Black water polo player from Harvard-Westlake has come forward with serious allegations of enduring years of sexual assault and racist harassment from his teammates. The prestigious institution faces accusations of attempting to conceal the abuse that Aidan Romain experienced while allegedly safeguarding star player Lucca van der Woude.

In juvenile court, van der Woude acknowledged digitally penetrating a minor, resulting in a court order for him to pay Romain nearly $50,000 in restitution. The allegations have sparked discussions about the culture within elite private schools and the need for transparency and accountability in addressing issues of harassment and abuse.