It is inevitable that the focus of media attention will be on Ched Evans rather than his victim; but she should not be overlooked. She is entitled to lifelong anonymity; but this has not stopped Ched Evans’ supporters from naming her and targeting her on social media. She lives in fear of her life and has had to move house and adopt new identities several times. Close supporters of Ched Evans say that he is not responsible for what strangers do. But we aren’t talking about strangers. These are the actions of Ched Evans’ own family. The abuse began even as the rape was happening as Evans’ brother, Ryan Roberts, tried to film the attack. And it continued after Evans’ conviction when Evans’ Cousin, Gemma Thomas, named the victim on social media despite her legal right to life-long anonymity.
In a Tweet, Thomas described the victim as a “money-grabbing slut”. Similar language was used by a friend of Evans, Craig McDonald, who also named the victim. The two were among nine people who were convicted of naming the victim in November 2012. They were ordered to pay the victim £624 in compensation – a very small sum considering the impact that their actions has had – and continues to have – on the victim. What was Thomas’ response to the conviction? Was she repentant? Not much. “I understand it’s against the law and I wouldn’t have minded having a big fine because I understand what I did was wrong, but it’s the fact that it’s compensation and it’s just … I don’t know, it’s hard thinking that I have got to pay compensation, knowing that I know my cousin is innocent,” she told BBC Five Live.
Of course, Ched Evans is only responsible for his own actions. He can’t be accountable for what his friends, his cousin, or his brother do. But Evans and his family – through the chedevans.com website – is encouraging a witch-hunt against the victim. They are offering a “significant reward” for “any information, however insignificant you believe it is” about the victim. They say: “If you attended the trial or any part of the legal process pre or post conviction and are concerned by the verdict and think you can help, please do not hesitate to contact [a firm of private investigators] and put right the injustice that has happened to Ched. There is a significant reward for new information that can be used as evidence that leads to the acquittal of Ched Evans.”
Not only is Ched, Scum, seems his whole family are.