Women's Aid: Blades have 'significant leadership' role to take over Evans

Sheffield United have to take responsibility for their response to the Ched Evans case, as a football club which is both an employer and a high profile brand. They have a significant leadership role in their community and there is no excuse for ignorance where violence against women and girls is concerned. Many employers would not wish to re-employ a convicted rapist in a high-profile position, because of the potential reputational risk and the message it sends out to others. While we would always support the principle of rehabilitating offenders, and encouraging those who have served their time to reintegrate back into society, an important element of rehabilitation is remorse and taking responsibility, which has not happened in this situation.

Sheffield United is supported by a wide range of people including many boys and young men to whom Evans will be a role model. Women's Aid is working with a number of football clubs through our Football United Against Domestic Violence campaign, which addresses issues relating to violence against women and sexism, and we hope that this work will ensure that more football clubs have policies and procedures in place which offer clear guidance and an informed understanding of the issues involved. We know that football clubs play an important role in our communities for shaping the future, and we can help them to respond appropriately to the sexist attitudes that underpin the abuse of women and girls and that are used to excuse crimes such as the rape committed by Ched Evans.