Student Endured Sexual Assault and Slavery Reenactment at Elite School, Lawsuit Claims
A black student who joined the water polo team at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles was subjected to a harrowing campaign of sexual assault, racial bullying, and a degrading slavery reenactment, according to a lawsuit filed in the LA Superior Court. The complaint details 16 months of alleged abuse that began when Aidan Romain was just 14 years old in August 2022, with school officials accused of failing to intervene despite multiple reports.
Shocking Allegations of Abuse and Neglect
The lawsuit, filed by Aidan's mother, claims that on his first day of practice, an older teammate, Lucca van der Woude, sexually assaulted Aidan by digitally penetrating him underwater. This initial assault was followed by another incident in the weight room later that day, setting a pattern of terror that persisted for over a year. Aidan, now 18, reportedly remained silent initially, fearing repercussions that might cost him his place on the team.
Despite Aidan and another student complaining to coach Jack Grover and higher school officials, the lawsuit alleges that Harvard-Westlake took no meaningful action to protect the victim. The abuse only came to light publicly when Lucca was arrested on the school's campus in February 2024 after another parent reported similar abuse of their son to police. Aidan's parents learned of the sexual assaults days later when detectives arrived to interview the family, as their son had been too afraid to tell them.
Racial Bullying and Slavery Reenactment
The 54-page complaint describes a disturbing environment where sexual assault was compounded by relentless racial harassment. Teammates allegedly called Aidan racial slurs nearly every day for approximately five months. In one particularly degrading incident, Lucca and another player whipped Aidan with a rope and elastic band in the weight room while making references to slavery and demanding he "get back to work."
Further racial mockery included teammates complaining that Aidan's black skin made him difficult to see during games, joking that he was the team's "secret weapon" because opposing players wouldn't be able to spot him in the pool. The lawsuit claims this constant degradation served as a frequent reminder of Aidan's status as an outcast on his own team.
School's Alleged Failure to Protect
Harvard-Westlake, a prestigious institution with tuition costing $52,500 annually plus additional fees, is accused of violating its legal obligations as a mandated reporter of child abuse. The lawsuit asserts that school officials never contacted police, the Department of Child and Family Services, or Aidan's parents about the allegations. Instead, when Aidan persisted in reporting abuse, he allegedly faced retaliation including a four-game suspension imposed by athletic director Matt LaCour after consultation with coach Grover.
The complaint details how the school dismissed concerns after four other players denied allegations of sexual assault, with dean Sharon Cuseo explaining that Harvard-Westlake could not take action without corroboration. This failure to report allegedly allowed the abuse to continue unchecked, with Lucca committing his final assault on Aidan in a school stairwell just days before his arrest.
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Impact
Lucca van der Woude pleaded guilty in juvenile court on November 7, 2024, to sexual penetration with a foreign object against a minor. Then 17, he received probation in a plea deal that dropped more serious charges. Despite this, the lawsuit claims Lucca violated a non-contact order 23 times in the following year, crossing paths with Aidan at various water polo events including national team selection camps and international competitions.
The abuse continued even after Lucca's arrest, according to Aidan's victim impact statement. He described how his time at Harvard-Westlake became "even more toxic" as peers assumed he had reported the crimes. His sibling at the school's middle school allegedly received threats warning their family had "messed with the wrong people." Aidan's parents were forced to withdraw him from the school in May 2024.
Broader Implications and Investigations
Coach Jack Grover is now under formal investigation by the US Center for SafeSport for failing to report claims of sexual assault. The lawsuit emphasizes that had Harvard-Westlake fulfilled its reporting duties, the abuse could have been stopped much earlier. Aidan's case highlights systemic failures at an institution with a star-studded alumni list including celebrities, politicians, and Olympic athletes.
The complaint concludes that the school's inaction "directly resulted in the continued abuse that Aidan was forced to endure," creating an environment where bullying was "relentless, documented, and happened in plain sight." The case continues to unfold as legal proceedings advance and investigations into institutional responses to abuse allegations proceed.
