r/nottheonion • u/DerangedUnicorn27 • 6d ago

Convicted child rapist qualifies for Olympics

https://www.newsweek.com/steven-van-de-velde-dutch-beach-volleyball-olympics-1918442
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u/Lamb_or_Beast 6d ago

Holy cow.

I didn’t realize the Dutch consider something so grotesquely evil as child rape so lightly. Surely something this horrible deserves a more severe sentence..

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u/PepernotenEnjoyer 6d ago edited 5d ago

It isn’t “the Dutch” who consider this. It’s an individual judge (or a small group of judges). Those judges also have to stay within the confines of the law. There have also been instances of child molesters getting 19 years (look up Robert M. if you want to learn more).

But yes obviously one year is waayy too little.

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u/PhoenixAvenger 6d ago

"The Dutch" are also sending him to the Olympics as a representative of their country so... Maybe it's more than just "an individual judge (or a small group of judges)"...

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u/PepernotenEnjoyer 5d ago

You do realize the average Dutch citizen has very little control over who sits on those Olympic committees and whatnot. Generally citizens don’t choose who represents them at the Olympics.