Max Pemberton: Child rapist a stain on the history of the Olympics
Spectators at the Olympic Games have been loudly booing child rapist Steven van de Velde whenever he has taken to the court to represent the Netherlands at beach volleyball.
Unlike the other athletes, his name is met with jeers and whistles when he is introduced to the crowd.
The hostile reaction continues throughout his matches. It must be very off-putting for him, but I don’t care.
Having worked with many victims of child abuse, I am appalled at his presence in Paris and astonished that it was ever deemed appropriate for him to compete.
The Netherlands Olympic Committee seems to have no moral backbone and felt it was perfectly fine for a rapist to represent their country, stating that he has ‘grown and positively changed his life.’
Never mind that he has failed to express any remorse for his actions.
While booing athletes is hardly in the spirit of the Olympics, in the case of van de Velde, it’s perfectly justified and lets officials know precisely what the public thinks of their decision-making.
For those that aren’t aware, in 2014, aged 19, he travelled from Amsterdam to England to meet a 12-year-old girl he had been communicating with over Facebook. Fully aware of her age, he gave her alcohol and had sex with her.
One can only imagine how his victim feels seeing him on the world stage.
I remain astonished that some people, including respected journalists, are speaking up for him. They argue that van de Velde served his time and should be allowed to move on with his life.
But let’s not lose sight of the fact he was sentenced to a pitiful four years by a British court and served just one before he was extradited to the Netherlands, where he served a further month before release.
That’s right, a total of 13 months for raping a child. Meanwhile, his victim faces a life sentence for what he did to her.
It’s one thing to be allowed to get on with your life and quite something else to do so while representing your country at the world’s most prestigious sporting event. Aren’t Olympians meant to be role models?
When Team GB dressage competitor Charlotte Dujardin was filmed cruelly whipping her horse there was — quite rightly — outrage and she was banned from the Games.
But rape a young girl and you’re good to go? What on earth is everyone thinking?
My work has taught me that the ramifications of child sexual abuse are often felt for the rest of the victim’s life. It can affect their mental health, their careers, their education, their family and personal relationships.
They can experience PTSD, anxiety, eating disorders, personality disorders and depression. Victims often struggle with trust, intimacy and self-esteem.
On top of that, many are racked with shame and guilt. Was it their fault? Did they somehow encourage the perpetrator?
I’ve worked with people in their 70s and even 80s who still haven’t fully got over what happened to them when they were children.
It’s heartbreaking. Certainly many gallantly try to rebuild their lives as best they can, but this is in no way guaranteed and some never recover.
I’ve heard arguments that because van de Velde did not physically force the child to have sex with him, this lessens his crime. Sorry, what?
Let’s be clear; in law, a 12-year-old cannot consent to sexual intercourse. Any sexual activity with a minor is, by definition, rape.
And he didn’t just do it once, he did it three times, compounding his victim’s suffering.
He has had a decade to reflect on his heinous actions. He could have used his platform to talk openly about the impact of child sexual abuse or to campaign for the victims of sexual violence.
Instead, he has complained about “all the nonsense” reporting on his crime — a comment the NSPCC has strongly condemned, saying his “lack of remorse and self-pity are breathtaking”.
For me, his presence in Paris is a stain on the history of the Olympics.
I refuse to agree we should all just forgive and forget. Child rapists should feel the impact of their crimes for the rest of their lives, just like their victims do.
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