Brave Movement open letter: we need a world centred around survivors, not perpetrators

Content warning/Advisory: This statement mentions sexual assault, rape, and the abuser’s name.

The Olympics Games are underway in Paris. Taking part in the Games is a dream for competitors.

When Steven Van de Velde raped a 12-year-old girl in Britain, the trial judge told the Dutch beach volleyball player: “Your hopes of representing your country now lie as a shattered dream.”

His defence lawyer told the court: “He’s lost a stellar sporting career…it’s plainly a career end for him.”

But it wasn’t. Van de Velde will be representing the Netherlands in beach volleyball at the Paris Olympics.

The lifelong consequences are for the child he raped.

Survivors of child sexual violence, know this is so often the case. Perpetrators move on. Those they abuse are left searching for healing and justice.

We need a world centred around survivors, not perpetrators.

There is still time for Van de Velde to withdraw. There is still time for the Dutch Olympic Association, NOC*NSF, to withdraw him.

We believe that is the only appropriate action.

The Brave Movement