Loose Women’s Denise Welch was left furious as Steven van de Velde, who was convicted of raping a 12 year old, is still set to compete in the 2024 Olympics

Loose Women star Denise Welch expressed frustration over the leniency Steven van de Velde faced for raping a 12-year-old, contrasting it with the severe backlash Charlotte Dujardin received for her actions.

On X, she posted: “Front page and every show for one case, but silence for this guy? How can we stop abuse if he’s excused for being good at beach volleyball? Procedures in place? Go f**k yourselves!!!”

The 39 year old British dressage star was compelled to withdraw from the 2024 Olympic Games after footage emerged showing her whipping the back of a horse’s legs numerous times.

As a result, the equestrian governing body, the FEI, suspended her.

While the dressage rider continues to face criticism for what she has described as “an error of judgement”, ITV panellist Denise expressed her anger upon discovering that Steven van de Velde had been chosen to represent the Netherlands in beach volleyball despite his rape conviction while appearing on air.

During a discussion about Charlotte Dujardin with fellow panellists Judi Love, Mariella Frostrup, and Coleen Nolan, Denise angrily remarked, “The headlines all over the papers this week, and on television this morning, it’s about the cruelty to this horse and I completely understand that.”

She then shifted her attention to Steven van de Velde. “He’s representing the Netherlands in beach volleyball”, the former Coronation Street actress explained, adding: “He is an accused rapist and he has been imprisoned. He was 18, 19 years old when he knew that this girl was 12. He raped this girl and he admitted to it.”, reports the Mirror.

She then went on to summarise the situation in a frustrated tone: “He was given a four-year sentence of which he served a year and he has been supported by the board at the Olympics and they are saying: ‘we’ve got everything in place, he’s not allowed to mix with anyone’.”

Denise was clearly furious as she added: “We’re talking about violence against women and we’re making headlines of this equestrian situation, which is serious, but nobody seems to be talking, front page wise, about what’s going on.”

Steven van de Velde was convicted of raping the girl at a property in Milton Keynes a decade ago. After befriending her on Facebook, the then 19 year old travelled to the UK where police were alerted to the rape after his victim asked for the morning after pill at a family planning clinic.

He was sentenced to four years at Aylesbury Crown Court in 2016 after admitting three counts of rape and served a year in a Dutch prison before being released.

Dutch Olympic bosses say that Van de Velde has “sought and received professional counselling [and] demonstrated to those around him – privately and professionally – self-insight and reflection.”
Denise Welch’s outrage over the leniency shown to convicted rapist Steven Van de Velde, allowing him to compete in the 2024 Olympics, highlights a troubling discrepancy in how society reacts to different forms of misconduct.

While the equestrian world swiftly condemned Charlotte Dujardin for her treatment of a horse, Van de Velde seems to have escaped similar scrutiny for his heinous actions.

The fact that Van de Velde, who admitted to raping a 12-year-old girl, is being allowed to represent the Netherlands in beach volleyball raises serious questions about the priorities of the Olympic board. Despite serving only a fraction of his sentence, Van de Velde has apparently been deemed rehabilitated and fit to participate in a prestigious international event.

Denise Welch’s frustration is palpable as she points out the glaring double standard at play. While headlines focus on Dujardin’s mistreatment of a horse, a grave but ultimately non-violent offense, Van de Velde’s history of violence against women seems to be swept under the rug. The fact that he was able to continue his athletic career after serving such a short sentence is deeply troubling and sends a dangerous message about accountability.

The case of Steven Van de Velde serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of gender-based violence and the need for a more consistent and rigorous response to perpetrators.

By prioritizing athletic achievement over ethical conduct, the Olympic board risks normalizing and perpetuating harmful behaviors. It is up to individuals like Denise Welch to speak out against such injustices and demand a higher standard of accountability from our institutions.

As we continue to navigate these complex issues, it is essential that we remain vigilant and vocal in our support of survivors and in our condemnation of perpetrators. Only by holding individuals and organizations accountable for their actions can we hope to create a safer and more equitable society for all. Let us stand together in solidarity against all forms of violence and injustice.