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.
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 (pictured on Friday)
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 think 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.
Dr Max (pictured) remains astonished that some people, including respected journalists, are speaking up for Steven van de Velde
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.
Steven van de Velde (pictured on Sunday) 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
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 campign 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.
The Royal College of Physicians says doctors should discuss climate change with patients. Seriously? You wait for ever for an appointment and then they bang on about climate. Do these people really think it is even remotely what patients want?
Why it’s OK to be a ‘beg friend’
Lily Allen has described James Corden as a ‘beg friend’: Someone who ‘begs’ for your attention in the hope of forming a friendship.
It does seem from her description that he misread her signals, and thought there was more to their relationship than there was. Who hasn’t been in the same situation though?
Lily Allen has described James Corden as a ‘beg friend’: Someone who ‘begs’ for your attention in the hope of forming a friendship
I spend a lot of time talking to patients about the benefits of friendship and how pursuing them is worth the occasional risk of rejection.
A change of circumstances – job or house move maybe – means any of us can suddenly find ourselves feeling alone.
The only solution is to put yourself out there and meet people, because the alternative is a life in the shadows.
So, I don’t think being a ‘beg friend’ is quite the slur it’s intended to be. Good on everyone who is putting themselves out there and trying to make friends.
The inquest into the death of Maeve Boothby-O’Neill, who died from ME (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome) at the age of just 27 has shone a light on how little doctors really understand about this condition and the scant resources allocated to it.
The current received medical opinion is that ME is the result of complex physical and psychological factors.
Most doctors working in this area are psychiatrists, yet some have received abuse and even death threats from a small number of ME activists who view the involvement of mental health professionals in this field as somehow suggesting that it isn’t a ‘real illness’.
What is clear is that there needs to be more research and specialist services and that, without these, patients will continue to suffer.
Dr Max prescribes…Yoga and meditation
I’m a great fan of Ayurveda after studying it at medical school, especially when teamed with yoga and meditation
Ayurvedic medicine is a 5,000-yearold form of alternative medicine that has its origins in India and is still widely practised there.
I’m a great fan of Ayurveda after studying it at medical school, especially when teamed with yoga and meditation as it’s great for managing anxiety and stress.
I’m even planning to go on an Ayurvedic retreat later this year.
