Refugee-student housing project in EU state rocked by rape scandal
A mixed housing project in Amsterdam that was intended to promote integration between refugees and Dutch students has been linked to multiple reports of sexual assault and other serious incidents, the investigative program Zembla has reported.
The Stek Oost complex in the Watergraafsmeer district has accommodated around 125 refugees with residence status and 125 young Dutch tenants since 2018, after the scheme was launched to address a housing shortage and help newcomers integrate. Former residents have filed 20 reports of sexual assault and violence connected to the building over the past 18 months, according to the program aired on Thursday by broadcaster BNNVARA.
Steijn en Nafisha waren beide bewoners van het woonproject Stek Oost in Amsterdam, waar statushouders en jongeren samenwonen. Ze vertellen over de ernstige incidenten die ze meemaakten op het wooncomplex. Kijk het volledige onderzoek terug op NPO Start: https://t.co/58c3UwjYNapic.twitter.com/QiROYtrJLn
— Zembla (@ZEMBLA) January 16, 2026
One resident told Zembla she was raped in 2019 by a Syrian refugee after he invited her to his room to watch a film. She then filed a police report but was informed there was insufficient evidence. A second woman later warned the managing housing association, Stadgenoot, that the man was dangerous, but local authorities said it would be impossible to evict him.
Confidential documents obtained by Zembla show Stadgenoot and the municipality were aware as early as 2019 of multiple reports about the same resident. In 2024, a former Stek Oost tenant named Mohammed R.A. was convicted of two counts of rape against female residents.
Zembla said residents and staff also reported drug trafficking, fights, and a suspected gang rape in one of the studios. In the summer of 2023, after some employees were allegedly threatened, Stadgenoot told the city of Amsterdam it wanted to end the project, saying it could no longer guarantee safety at the complex. However, the municipality decided to hold the housing association to its contract, which is due to end in April 2028, because “there are people living there.”
“We were completely overwhelmed. We no longer wanted to be responsible for the safety of the complex,” Stadgenoot manager Marielle Foppen stated.
According to Statistics Netherlands, 316,000 migrants arrived in the the country in 2024, with the largest numbers coming from Ukraine and Syria.
