Court to Rule on Rape Case Against Band Leader

Verdict imminent in the appeal filed by singer Nienke Wijnhoven against Jeroen Rietbergen.

A ruling is expected Friday from the Arnhem-Leeuwarden Court of Appeal regarding the case of singer Nienke Wijnhoven against Jeroen Rietbergen, former band leader for ‘The Voice of Holland’. The central question: should prosecutors pursue a rape case?

Allegations Stem from ‘The Voice’

The charges brought by Nienke allege that Jeroen Rietbergen assaulted her during her participation in ‘The Voice of Holland’. The accusations surfaced following a BOOS exposé that investigated misconduct related to the popular television program.

Police investigated the alleged rape. Initially, the Public Prosecution Service intended to prosecute Rietbergen, but later dropped the case citing insufficient evidence. He received a dismissal in the matter.

Singer Seeks to Overturn Dismissal

Unsatisfied with the outcome, Nienke Wijnhoven’s attorney, Sébas Diekstra, initiated an Article 12 procedure, appealing to the Court of Appeal to compel prosecution. According to Diekstra, “Client hopes that these steps will lead to a careful reassessment of her case and that a fair judgment will be made by the Court of Appeal.”

Aftermath and Personal Impact

The scandal led to Jeroen Rietbergen’s separation from his partner, Linda de Mol, though they have since reconciled. Following the BOOS broadcast, the band leader admitted to inappropriate behavior, but denied committing any punishable offenses. He also refuted allegations during police questioning that he assaulted Nienke.

Cases of sexual assault are notoriously difficult to prosecute, with approximately 85% of reported rapes not resulting in a felony conviction in the United States (RAINN, 2024).