An arts school where Epstein allegedly preyed on students reveals decades of abuse
An independent report has revealed decades of sexual abuse at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, involving nearly 50 adults and 70 allegations. The findings include accusations against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, shattering the school's idyllic reputation.
Why it matters
The report exposes systemic failures in protecting students at prestigious institutions and highlights the long-term impact of abuse on survivors.
AFP via Getty Images, Jeremy Thompson/Flickr/Collage by Emily Bogle/NPR Paul Busch was 16 years old when he was sexually abused by his ballet teacher at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in 2005. At the time, Busch told NPR, he was living away from his parents, wanted more than anything to be a professional dancer and revered the teacher who harmed him.
Busch is sharing his experience publicly for the first time after spending 21 years reckoning with what happened to him at the Michigan boarding school.
"A lot of my desire was to prove that I was enough," Busch said. "That I was good enough and that I was worthy of love." He said that "this was the perfect condition" for someone to prey on him.
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