Authorities are investigating a new incident of sexual harassment in swimming pools after a 17-year-old girl in a Ghent pool was touched between the legs by another teen swimmer, according to reports on Wednesday.
The incident took place on July 10 at a slide of the Rozebroeken pool in Ghent, according to De Morgen.
The girl was reportedly passed by three teenagers as she slid through a water slide in the pool, and felt a hand between her legs when she reached the end.
She left the pool in a distraught state and went to the dressing rooms, where a cleaning employee helped her report the incident to the lifesavers.
The three teenage boys were reportedly questioned by police after being confronted by the lifesavers.
A spokesperson for the police confirmed that the incident is under investigation, adding that he could not disclose any further details.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the harassment incident follows two separate reports of similar offences in pool grounds, but it is not clear if they took place in the same swimming complex.
The Rozebroeken pool has reportedly put in place measures to fight instances of harassment after employees alerted management of the problem.
The pools is set to roll out a system which would require all visitors over the age of 12 to present an identity card for entering the swimming pool.
Reports of the new incident follow news that federal authorities will seek to tackle instances of harassment and of aggressive behaviour in swimming pools.
Gabriela Galindo
The Brussels Times
