To boycott the Olympics for allowing a rapist to compete

What goes wrong in people's lives that makes them desperately defend child rapists? This thread is really bringing them out of the woodwork.

She initially told him she was 16 and later told him she was only 12 (almost 13)
Judge Sheridan said it was not a case of sexual grooming, but added: “You were the adult, she was the child and until you recognise that you will remain a danger to young girls".

The court had heard how Van de Velde’s child victim had been consumed with guilt in the wake of his arrest and felt responsible for him being in custody.

https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/would-be-olympian-jailed-after-flying-400-miles-to-rape-a-12-year-old-girl-in-milton-keynes-1256450

"Sure. I accept all of your comments and what he did was appalling. I'm definitely not disputing that. But the fact is the punishment in law was a jail sentence, which he served. By all means campaign for that legal sentence to be harsher if you wish, but a sentence is a sentence. Serve it and you have repayed your debt to society."

Apparently, you have failed to do your research, as he has NOT served his full sentence. His sentence was four years. Of that four years, he served less than half. I strongly urge you to think about any children in your life that you care about- whether they be your nieces, nephews, cousins, or even your own children, Do you feel that only four years in prison would somehow "repay" their debt to society? To "repay" the CHILD for their unimaginable hurt and trauma? To "repay" the CHILD'S family for their crimes? As someone who works in the world of Forensics, I can tell you with complete certainty that pedophiles are unable to be rehabilitated. The only ones who ultimately repay their "debt" is their victims, who will undoubtedly live with the consequences of THEIR crimes for the rest of their lives. Please, before you comment with such naivety on such sensitive subjects, do a little more research, or perhaps, even a little soul searching. Thanks.

Sure, but I don't believe that its a sexual orientation in its own right.

A 19 year old is an adult. Secondly, he knew her true age before raping her.

His lack of remorse for the victim but stating it was a mistake is enough for some to feel sorry for the poor chap hoodwinked by a 12 year old 😢 @factsareimportantplease... the enabling of men and excuses some come up with are unbelievable. I hope you don't have 12 year old daughters

He knew her age.

I totally agree. The general principle, that serving a prison sentence is punishment enough, is irrelevant here. The rape was carefully planned and carried out. His showing no remorse (while cleverly ticking all the right boxes to appear rehabilitated and get out of prison sooner) must be further traumatising his victim.

@justthefacts2

"The rape of a child was planned, calculated involving international travel and will undoubtedly cause his victim lifelong trauma, irreversibly changing the course of her life.
"As a society we have to start embracing a zero-tolerance approach to this heinous and costly crime.
"His lack of remorse and empathy for his victim is chilling and the allowance of his colleagues and the Olympic committee to promote him to a young audience as a sports person to look up to and therefore by implication is deeply disturbing."

His 12 year old victim self harmed and took an overdose, he served a mere 13 months. He also knew she was 12

He was a stupid 19 year old kid who slept with a girl he thought was 16. It was statutory rape. They had met online and the girl told him she was 16. He was charged because she was underage. The girl was upset that he was charged. I wish the media would distinguish between rape and statutory rape.

Many peodophiles marry to disguise it. People have always hidden their true sexuality.

The thing is, paedophiles are often not solely attracted to children. Many are married or in long term relationships and have families of their own.

I do think it's a disorder but one that cannot be cured. I do believe we need to have harsher punishments as I see people try to claim, in some places, that merely viewing or downloading CSA images isn't quite as bad as actually physically abusing a child, despite this very clearly creating a market for said abuse in the first place.

I still think peadophiliia (sp) is a sexual
preference or orientation and not a 'disorder' like the latest 'experts' want us to believe. you can't be rehabilitated out of it either in my opinion.

Those that shook his hand or agreed to play with him have in my book.

The rape happened here.

He was sentenced to 4 years but only served 1 year because he was transferred back. So no he hasn't served his sentence.

I think man utd rapist was forced to leave his club but some countries don't seem to view rape in the same way so off to play at the highest level elsewhere. It's a dreadful crime and against a child even more despicable but many appear not to release the lifetime consequences on the victims.

This.

I absolutely agree that the volleyball player should not be there.

But to discard all the training, dedication and hard work of other competitors by boycotting everything else is a bit of an over reaction. They had no part in the decision to let him attend.

If you commit rape you should not be granted the honour of representing your country on a world stage, regardless of what piddly sentence you have apparently served.

@JackRabbitSlim Well said.
@capstix is a disgusting unempathetic human not worth arguing with. At least he/she is a lone voice among sense.

The rules are down to the individual nations as to who they allow to compete, not the Olympic committee.

Well, he didn't even serve his sentence, but no, I wouldn't say his debt to society is repaid since thankfully most of society disagrees with you and doesn't think a prison sentence absolves him. He is a rapist, he always will be. He could serve 20 years in solitary confinement and he would still be a rapist. It wouldn't un-ruin his victim's life or make people feel safe around him.

Advanced Search that one. Also a "cocklodgers moving themselves in without asking if it's OK" apologist.

Oh look. A paedophile apologist has arrived.