A support teacher in Denmark faces serious charges for sexually assaulting a severely disabled child. The middle-aged man worked as a support pedagogue for a seven-year-old boy with significant disabilities.
Police in Central and West Zealand have brought disturbing charges against the educator. The man allegedly subjected the young boy to months of rape, threats, and violence.
The victim's age and medical condition made him helpless against the adult's physical and psychological dominance. Court documents describe how the educator repeatedly assaulted the child through various sexual acts beyond intercourse.
He also violated the boy's privacy and used illegal coercion. The child told investigators the teacher threatened to beat him if he revealed the abuse to his parents.
The sexual assaults apparently only stopped after a violent incident earlier this year. During that episode, the teacher attacked another severely disabled boy.
Court documents state the man put his arms around both boys' necks and squeezed. He told them he would tighten his grip if they didn't stay still.
Both children later explained this wasn't the first time. The educator had repeatedly used his arms and legs to squeeze their upper bodies tightly in previous months.
The case will be heard as a judge and jury trial at Holbæk City Court next week. The proceedings are scheduled for five court days with a verdict expected on November 27.
The accused man remains under a name ban, which is common in Danish criminal cases to protect all parties' identities. Support pedagogues in Denmark typically assist children with special needs in educational and care settings.
This case raises difficult questions about safeguarding vulnerable children in care positions. The severity of the alleged crimes against children who depended completely on their caregiver is particularly disturbing.