Steven van de Velde Raped A Child – Why Should He Compete At The Olympics?

This blog discusses cases of sexual abuse and rape involving children.

Steven van de Velde's aspirations of becoming a professional athlete were crushed in 2016 when he admitted to raping a 12-year-old child two years prior. Despite being sentenced to four years in prison, he was released after serving only 12 months in a Dutch jail.

Throughout the trial, his lawyer, Linda Strudwick, stated, "He has suffered the loss of a successful sports career and has been labeled a rapist [...] This is clearly the end of his career."

Hold on a minute! Van de Velde is participating in the Summer Olympics in Paris! He will be competing in top-level beach volleyball all summer - he might even take home a medal! Yes, in a remarkable twist of events, Van de Velde has triumphed over challenges to reach his ultimate goals. Get ready for the BBC montage.

Someone who knows Van de Velde well said, "He is aware that he made a significant mistake, but he has made every effort to meet all the necessary conditions to revive his dream of becoming a top athlete. He understands that this difficult time in his past will be mentioned whenever he competes, especially at the Olympics, and he is ready for the criticism."

Yes, committing a crime against a child is a grave error that should not hinder men from pursuing their goals.

Unwilling to just act foolishly, Van de Velde also seems at ease portraying himself as a victim. When he was set free from jail in 2018, he spoke to Dutch broadcaster NOS and said, "I made a decision back then when I was young and not fully prepared; I was still a teenager trying to understand things. I was confused, but now I have gained more life wisdom, beyond just being locked up."

The talk about Steven Van de Velde mainly centers on his errors, his poor decisions, and how he has grown as a person. But why isn't there more attention given to the young woman, now 22 years old, who was sexually assaulted by him as a child? Imagine how she must feel seeing his name all over social media or watching the Olympics, knowing he could show up on the screen at any time. How does it feel to be the overlooked victim in a story about your own suffering?

Based on my own experiences and work with survivors in a shelter for women, I can attest that sexual violence has a lasting impact on one's life. Surviving sexual abuse, especially as a child, can leave you with deep trauma that affects your ability to trust and damages personal relationships. The psychological harm can lead to self-harm, suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety. It may also increase the risk of developing chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart disease later in life.

This doesn't mean that life ends after experiencing sexual or physical abuse. There is still a chance for a beautiful life after such trauma, but it's not guaranteed.

Survivors of difficult situations may experience ups and downs, but their abusers often seem to easily recover, especially if they are well-known in society.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Chris Brown is facing a lawsuit from four men who claim that he ordered his group to violently assault them. He has not responded to the legal action.

This refers to the Chris Brown who confessed to attacking his girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. The incident has definitely impacted his career, as he mentioned on Instagram last year "If you still hold a grudge against me for a mistake I made when I was 17, you can kiss my entire ass." Despite this, his popularity remains strong, as he was even awarded "Favorite Male R&B Artist" at the American Music Awards in 2022.

Do you believe that accusations can destroy a person's reputation? Just look at Johnny Depp. He faced a legal battle in 2020 when The Sun called him a "wife-beater," and the court ruled the allegations were mostly true. However, a US trial in 2022 found Amber Heard guilty of damaging his reputation. Despite all of this, Depp is still successful, with a lucrative contract with Sauvage, receiving praise at the Cannes Film Festival, and hanging out with celebrities like Ed Sheeran and Russell Crowe.

And it's best not to say too much about the individual currently seeking the position of President of the United States.

Accusations of abuse do not necessarily destroy the lives of well-known men. Instead, they provide an opportunity for highly paid crisis management professionals to shape the public perception. The abuse can be portrayed as a turning point in the perpetrator's life, whether it be a moment of realization of their wrongdoing or their resilience in facing false accusations from former partners.

I frequently think back to the opinion piece written by Heard for The Washington Post. Even though she was sued by Depp and ridiculed by many, Heard bravely shared her experiences of witnessing firsthand how institutions often shield men who have been accused of abuse.

The Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC) stated that Van de Velde completed a specialized treatment program and followed all necessary steps to ensure his readiness for competition. Professionals have confirmed that there is no chance of him repeating past mistakes.

Van de Velde has always been honest about the situation, which he describes as the biggest mistake he has ever made. He is truly sorry for how his actions have affected others.

Paula Radcliffe apologized for wishing Van de Velde good luck in the Olympics and standing by his right to compete.

During a conversation with Andrew Marr on LBC, she mentioned that he should not face double punishment. Afterwards, she cleared up any misunderstandings on X by posting on Twitter, stating, "I want to make it clear that his actions are inexcusable. I was feeling conflicted and speaking about his right to be banned from the Games, and I am not sure why I wished him luck. I apologize once more."

Sadly, this situation serves as another reminder that victims have to struggle for even the smallest victories, while those responsible often receive praise and opportunities for a fresh start. In Van de Velde's situation, he is even being given another chance at success.

GLAMOUR has contacted Chris Brown's team to get a statement. We will continue to provide updates on this article.

If you need help or advice about reporting and recovering from rape and sexual abuse, you can reach out to Rape Crisis at 0808 500 2222.

If you have experienced sexual assault, you can locate the nearest support center by clicking here. Additionally, you can seek assistance from your doctor, community organizations like Rape Crisis, Women's Aid, and Victim Support, and choose to report the incident to law enforcement here.

If you are concerned that either yourself or someone you are familiar with is being groomed, you can utilize the Children and Young People Services offered by Victim Support. You have the option to reach out to your nearest Victim Support office, call the 24/7 Supportline, connect with them through live chat, or if you are 16 years or older, set up a My Support Space account.

To see more updates from Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram at @lucyalexxandra.