It is not just about Ched Evans being a role model but also about the message reinstating him would send out to society. Photo: PA Wire/ Jon Buckle

Whether Ched Evans will be joining local team Hibernians is now a non-argument but the way people debated about the merits of the case is still very interesting.

The truth is that the only reason why the Evans move was going to be divisive is because rape culture is alive and well, so let’s not encourage it.

Before delving deeper into what was said and written about this, I think it is important to note that the victim – who, unfortunately, was rarely mentioned during the debate – had to move house five times, change her identity and has not seen her family in over a year because of the threats she has been receiving from supporters of Evans.

Even though she was granted anonymity by the court, her name was released on social media (where it spread) by Evans’ supporters who were then prosecuted.

It is important here to note that this was a criminal case and the victim was not looking for a payout. In fact, the only payout she had was a constant stream of abuse.

In no situation should someone be taken advantage of because of a weakened state

We had politicians and other prominent people dismissing what the former Sheffield United player had done as almost insignificant while others, cloaking themselves with presumptuous liberalism, started talking about the importance of second chances.

However, this argument is not about any criminal offence and the person who committed it being given the chance of going back to their old life.

This is about a public figure and quasi role-model in today’s football fan world who committed a crime against society returning to a prominent position. This is where the argument for second chances becomes problematic.

Criminal offenders get released from prison and go back to work every day and that is the way it should be but here we’re not talking about any other job. A financial controller who has been convicted of fraud will not be accepted back in the industry and neither are directors of companies. So, no, not all jobs are the same.

Even though it is true that in football you can be reinstated even after a criminal offence such as rape it does not mean it is as straightforward as that.

Football is watched by millions around the world and it does have power, meaning there is attached responsibility.

This is also not only about Evans being a role model but also about the message that reinstating him would send out to society.

Another argument revolves around the act of rape itself as Evans, to this day, claims he is innocent and here is where I read some of the most disturbing comments. Some of the most worrying ones were written by James Calvert in his column on The Sunday Times of Malta.

Calvert writes: “The girl says she was too drunk to remember if she consented; Evans claims she clearly gave him consent. His word against hers.”

However, anyone who has read about the case will know that the girl in question went into a hotel room with Evans’ friend – who was actually acquitted of rape in the same case – and it was only afterwards that Evans joined them and had sex with the girl. Evans is then known to have left the hotel via an emergency exit.

Calvert continues by referring to these ‘rapes’ that are committed over weekends because people are too drunk to remember and even horrifyingly jokes about carrying around a breathalyser.

What does that say about society? Does it mean that just because a woman is intoxicated then it is OK to take advantage of her because it was she who put herself in that position?

This is no laughing matter. This is what rape culture is about. Rape is a serious, horrible thing.

Men need to understand that in no situation should someone be taken advantage of because of a weakened state.

Furthermore, even if Evans maintains his innocence, that does not mean there is no need or reason to apologise to the victim. As explained earlier, she has suffered tremendously at the hand of internet trolls and other abusers, most of whom claim to be acting on his behalf.

The continued claims of his innocence have made her life unbearable due to attacks from his fans and supporters and, to this day, he has never shown any concern about what she went through.

I understand Calvert is a Sheffield United fan but he also has a duty towards his readers. He asks everyone to go to the Evans’ website to get all the facts. Unfortunately, he forgets to mention that the website offers “a significant reward for new information that can be used as evidence that leads to the acquittal of Ched Evans”.

He doesn’t mention the website is funded by the millionaire father of the woman Evans cheated on when he committed the rape. He doesn’t even mention the twisted information presented as facts that can be found on the website.

Looking at the website with an unbiased eye it is clear that it doesn’t do Evans any justice. The reason he is affiliated with it should already be a red flag.

This brings up another point. The rehabilitation of convicted criminals is not just about serving a prison sentence or paying a fine but in making amends to society and atoning for misdeeds.

Quite clearly, Evans does not feel the need to make amends or atone for his criminal actions let alone express sorrow over the effect this has had on his victim and this is in itself very disturbing.

If he feels that he has done nothing wrong, then what will stop him from doing it again?

If he has no moral compass to guide him, then the only thing left is the lesson of what will happen if he does and can we as a society afford to weaken the lesson?

Mel Hart is a blogger.