Yeah, he should've done that. He was literally told by the judge at the time that his Olympic dreams were over and the fact that he was still welcomed into the Dutch Olympic team after this was all well known is a slap in the face to Dutch women and girls.
So, criticizing you for raping a child is "bullying" you? I don't think the claimed rehabilitation happened. He should still be in jail.
It blows me away that that was his response. What a fucking cunt.
I guess I’m late to reading about this. As a 19 year old, he met a British 12 year old online, plied them with alcohol, raped them, pled guilty, and was punished for this.
What’s interesting is he was convicted in Britain, and then was sent to serve his sentence in the Netherlands. When he arrived, his sentence was reduced and the crime was changed because Dutch law didn’t recognise his crime as rape if force or violence wasn’t involved (they changed that this year).
Despite that I’m still astonished he was even considered to represent his country in this way. Even though the law and rules allowed it, surely common sense wouldn’t.
Ah yes, the rapist doesn't want others to have power over him. Who would have guessed. Fuck him and fuck the panel that decided he could ever join.
You sure gave yourself the power over that twelve year old girl. Shit stain. He clearly has learned nothing, and holds no remorse.
My guy, you're lucky the crowd didn't pin you down and skin you alive. Fuckin' kiddie fuckers, man. How entitled.
Not condoning what he did in any way, shape or form, but Dutch TV adds a little more nuance not covered in foreign press:
It was explained that this happened in the UK when he was 19, and the girl was 12. The sex was consentual, but in the UK sex with a minor is always considered rape, because a 12-year old is never considered mature enough to consent to sex. He served his sentence partly in the UK, then was transferred to the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, consentual sex between a minor and an adult is "fornication" and illegal as well, but the punishment is less than for rape. He is now 30, and has a family. In the interview he says he is a different person than the teenager he was 11 years ago. A grown-up with a family instead of a teenager. The thing that bothered him more than being booed (he says he blocked it out at some point) was that at one point people went to attacking his volleyball partner and his wife and child.
I can't find the full interview online, but here is an excerpt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXyNaldd0qg
The sex was consentual
No it wasn't. The UK is right.
and the girl was 12. The sex was consentual
Leaving out the part where an adult gave alcohol TO A 12YO to have sex with her. That's not consensual, and the Dutch are absolutely wrong on that (and hopefully the changed law reflects that).
It's sad to see that his volleyball partner and family were attacked, but he's still a rapist of a pre-teen, so the only people I feel sorry for are those around him who were hurt. He, however, deserves everything he's getting.
OH. MY. GOD. WHO. CARES.
The victim?
The victim cares about him quitting the Olympics? 🤨
No, about seeing him on a world stage despite being a convicted rapist. It is a sign to rape victims that hey, the attacker got punished, but here's a chance at Olympic medals! They should never have been allowed on a public stage like this.
Oh poor Steven, he thought hoots and whistles were bullying ? He should end up in a mexican prison with a big public announcement about what he did. This bastard shouldn’t make 24 hours before getting what he truly deserves
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