22 Oct 2014

Ched Evans says he’s learned a lesson – but has he?

Data Correspondent and Presenter

As Ched Evans releases a statement denying rape, Charlie Webster – a patron of his former club Sheffield United and a sexual assault victim – asks what, exactly, he has learned.

The footballer and convicted rapist asked for a “second chance” to resume his playing career after making a fresh bid to clear his name upon his release from prison.

In a video interview posted on his website, five days after he walked free from jail, 25-year-old Evans said he was sorry for cheating on long-term girlfriend Natasha Massey in a hotel room in May 2011. But he offered no apology to his victim.

The former Sheffield United striker served half of a five-year jail term, and said his lawyers had already taken steps to try to overturn the conviction. He has always maintained the sex was consensual.

Wearing a dark shirt and tie, the Welsh international said: “It is my hope that I will be able to return to football.

“If that is possible then I will do so with humility, having learnt a very painful lesson. I would like a second chance.”

Victims’ groups joined Ms Webster in condemning the two-minute video message.

Katie Russell, for Rape Crisis England and Wales, said: “There is nothing that really constitutes news in the video statement released online by a convicted rapist this evening.

“In it he does not express remorse for his crime, accept responsibility for it, or apologise to his victim.

“We continue to urge football clubs and authorities to consider carefully their responsibility towards sexual violence survivors, many tens of thousands of whom will inevitably be among its followers.

“As the well-funded publicity campaign behind Ched Evans continues, we appeal to the media not to forget the woman at the heart of this story and to show respect and consideration for her and for all survivors of sexual violence.”