Another case of ballet student abuse (allegations)

[Pas de Quatre]

Vienna Opera Ballet School abuse allegations  

 

Yet another case of ballet students suffering abuse. Hopefully it will eventually be stamped out everywhere! 

[Billyelliott]

Shocking and disgraceful !

but sadly I’m not surprised...

I do hope that in the future enough of the students will feel empowered to unite and speak up and stamp this out!

[bangorballetboy]

The important word at this stage is “allegations”.

[richieN]

Just goes to show - all those who are moaning about British schools not pushing their students hard enough need to take a long look at what is happening elsewhere, and at what price some of the children might be paying for their performances.

[Miracle]

In the world of today this behaviour should not be happening anywhere. The long term damage of physical and verbal abuse is proven to ruin a young persons future years.

[Tulip]

I just hope our children have a voice to speak up and not be afraid of any repercussions, not just in the ballet world but all situations.  

[taxi4ballet]

17 hours ago, bangorballetboy said:

The important word at this stage is “allegations”.

Whilst I agree with that, it doesn't appear to be just one person making allegations, a number of people have come forward. Sometimes all it takes is for one person to stick their head above the parapet, and others will then feel able to follow suit.

[alison]

Maybe, but at the same time similar cases have been known to throw up people making spurious claims as well, so I think we should stick with "allegations" for the time being.

[RuthE]

10 hours ago, alison said:

Maybe, but at the same time similar cases have been known to throw up people making spurious claims as well, so I think we should stick with "allegations" for the time being.

 

Maybe worth tweaking the thread title?

[taxi4ballet]

Perhaps not "allegations" in quotes, but simply allegations. When you put quotes round it there is a subtle change of meaning.

[Tulip]

The academy has actually acknowledged that student have been physically and emotionally abused and have vowed to change its practice. 

Sorry I didn’t know how to copy the quotes from the report. 

[Billyelliott]

1 hour ago, Tulip said:

The academy has actually acknowledged that student have been physically and emotionally abused and have vowed to change its practice. 

Sorry I didn’t know how to copy the quotes from the report. 

Just what I was going to say - assuming the article is accurate on that point then it seems at the very least there is an admission that things need to change!

Edited April 16, 2019 by Billyelliott
Typo

[BeaverElliot]

On 13/04/2019 at 11:25, Billyelliott said:

I do hope that in the future enough of the students will feel empowered to unite and speak up and stamp this out!

 

It is worthwhile I think to note the point that was being made regarding what might be characterized as ballet’s inbred, native, built-in culture of obedience.  There exist traditional pedagogical attitudes which get passed down and perpetuated within a kind of at times cult-like mentality, some of which is a set of arbitrary, socially constructed beliefs rooted in thinking from centuries past, based on my readings and observations.  

 

Subordinated, disempowered individuals within an authoritarian hierarchy that can reward and punish will simply not just ‘speak up’ despite the abuse and torment... due to systemic beliefs and attitudes or culture whereby complaints are not well received, supported nor handled.  Otherwise, why would it have taken so long for a significant, long standing, institutionalized shortcoming to have come to light?  What role does top management have in down-playing any reported troubles?

 

Thin, underweight female performers apparently has its origins with a certain, noted choreographer and is justified as a prescriptive, aesthetic ideal of the art form, much like the adoration of unnatural ankle-foot extension and turn out.  Whether ballet can self reform is an intriguing proposition.

 

Ballerina: Sex, Scandal and Suffering Behind the Symbol of Perfection

D. Kelly

 

Ballet Across Borders: Career and Culture in the World of Dancers

H. Wulff

 

 

Edited April 16, 2019 by BeaverElliot

[Tulip]

18 hours ago, BeaverElliot said:

 

It is worthwhile I think

18 hours ago, BeaverElliot said:

 

It is worthwhile I think to note the point that was being made regarding what might be characterized as ballet’s inbred, native, built-in culture of obedience.  There exist traditional pedagogical attitudes which get passed down and perpetuated within a kind of at times cult-like mentality, some of which is a set of arbitrary, socially constructed beliefs rooted in thinking from centuries past, based on my readings and observations.  

 

Subordinated, disempowered individuals within an authoritarian hierarchy that can reward and punish will simply not just ‘speak up’ despite the abuse and torment... due to systemic beliefs and attitudes or culture whereby complaints are not well received, supported nor handled.  Otherwise, why would it have taken so long for a significant, long standing, institutionalized shortcoming to have come to light?  What role does top management have in down-playing any reported troubles?

 

Thin, underweight female performers apparently has its origins with a certain, noted choreographer and is justified as a prescriptive, aesthetic ideal of the art form, much like the adoration of unnatural ankle-foot extension and turn out.  Whether ballet can self reform is an intriguing proposition.

 

Ballerina: Sex, Scandal and Suffering Behind the Symbol of Perfection

D. Kelly

 

Ballet Across Borders: Career and Culture in the World of Dancers

H. Wulff

 

 

to note the point that was being made regarding what might be characterized as ballet’s inbred, native, built-in culture of obedience.  There exist traditional pedagogical attitudes which get passed down and perpetuated within a kind of at times cult-like mentality, some of which is a set of arbitrary, socially constructed beliefs rooted in thinking from centuries past, based on my readings and observations.  

 

Subordinated, disempowered individuals within an authoritarian hierarchy that can reward and punish will simply not just ‘speak up’ despite the abuse and torment... due to systemic beliefs and attitudes or culture whereby complaints are not well received, supported nor handled.  Otherwise, why would it have taken so long for a significant, long standing, institutionalized shortcoming to have come to light?  What role does top management have in down-playing any reported troubles?

 

Thin, underweight female performers apparently has its origins with a certain, noted choreographer and is justified as a prescriptive, aesthetic ideal of the art form, much like the adoration of unnatural ankle-foot extension and turn out.  Whether ballet can self reform is an intriguing proposition.

 

Ballerina: Sex, Scandal and Suffering Behind the Symbol of Perfection

D. Kelly

 

Ballet Across Borders: Career and Culture in the World of Dancers

H. Wulff

 

 

A similar thing has happened with the American gymnastics, it took years to come to light, and be taken seriously. Some parents actually chose to shush their children so not to lose their place on the squad. 

[Tulip]

Note to self, I really need to improve my copy and pasting skills 🤦‍♀️🤪

[Moneypenny]

21 hours ago, BeaverElliot said:

 Whether ballet can self reform is an intriguing proposition.

 

 

Not a chance!

[Lisa O`Brien]

Wasn't there something similar that used to happen to Eastern European gymnasts a few years ago?