Netherlands: More women report sexual assault TV show "The Voice of Holland"

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The show was recorded in »Studio 22«

Photo: ANP / IMAGO

In the scandal surrounding the casting show »The Voice of Holland«, more and more former participants are reporting that they have been victims of sexual assault.

According to the Dutch media, they had to listen to lewd remarks, were touched and harassed.

They felt vulnerable and threatened.

The show was suspended after women made allegations against band leader Jeroen Rietbergen and rapper Ali B.

Ali B. is a member of the jury in the talent show, and a complaint has been filed against him.

Rietbergen had already admitted wrongdoing and resigned.

Rutte calls alleged events "unacceptable and outrageous"

The case is now also occupying Dutch politics.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte described the case to the Telegraaf as "unacceptable and outrageous".

The Justice Department called on potential victims to report the incident.

The online portal "Boos" announced further revelations about what was happening behind the scenes of the show for Thursday.

Sponsors have already distanced themselves from the show, and singer Anouk left the jury.

It's the biggest #MeToo scandal in Dutch show business to date.

The events are also explosive because they burden the prominent media family de Mol.

»The Voice of Holland« was developed by TV producer John de Mol, and the format has since been sold to dozens of countries, including Germany.

John de Mol has not yet commented.

Linda de Mol announced separation

The accused musician Rietbergen was also the partner of TV presenter Linda de Mol, John's sister.

After the allegations became known, she ended her relationship with Rietbergen – the two were together for 14 years.

Linda de Mol took a break from her job.

"I've been having a terrible nightmare for a few days," she wrote on her website.

Rietbergen had admitted that he had had sexual contact with women from the TV show.

He had apologized and said he had underestimated his position of power.

He assumed equal relationships.

Only now did he realize that the women "perhaps experienced things differently."

Rietbergen had also stated that he had already been admonished by "my client".

He confessed everything to his wife and went to therapy.

But Linda de Mol explained that she knew nothing about anything.

fek/dpa