A prestigious Los Angeles private school is at the center of a disturbing lawsuit alleging years of racial and sexual abuse endured by a student athlete. Aidan Romain, a former water polo player at Harvard-Westlake School, claims he was relentlessly targeted by teammates, including the son of a prominent Hollywood film industry professional.
The civil suit details a pattern of abuse beginning in 2022, when Romain, a freshman, joined the varsity team. The alleged harassment escalated quickly, with Romain claiming he was sexually assaulted during his very first practice by Lucca Van Der Woude, son of assistant director Thomas "Basti" Van Der Woude.
The lawsuit paints a chilling picture of a toxic team culture where humiliation and violence were commonplace. It alleges that school staff and administration were aware of the misconduct but failed to intervene, fostering an environment where silence was demanded and speaking out meant ostracism.
The abuse wasn’t limited to sexual assault. Romain also alleges he was repeatedly subjected to racial slurs, including the consistent use of a deeply offensive racial epithet. The suit describes a particularly harrowing incident where he was whipped with a rope and elastic band while teammates made references to slavery.
Lucca Van Der Woude, once a highly-regarded Olympic prospect and UCLA recruit, was arrested in 2024 and pleaded guilty in juvenile court to a charge of sexual penetration with a foreign object. He was ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution to Romain as part of a plea agreement.
The lawsuit further contends that Harvard-Westlake, with its annual tuition exceeding $54,000, had knowledge of the abuse but deliberately chose not to act. This alleged inaction allowed the harmful environment to persist, inflicting lasting trauma on Romain.
Romain, now living in Barcelona and continuing his athletic training, described the daily ordeal of enduring both racial and sexual abuse in a recent interview. He spoke of the immense difficulty in coping with the constant attacks on his dignity and well-being.
The school has previously issued a denial of the allegations. The case raises serious questions about accountability and the responsibility of institutions to protect their students from harm, even within the walls of privilege and exclusivity.
The lawsuit alleges the abuse was not isolated, but rather a systemic issue facilitated by the school’s leadership. It suggests a disturbing pattern of prioritizing reputation and athletic success over the safety and well-being of its students.
