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Content Warning: Sexual Violence
What happens when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force?
The Me Too movement has explored this issue since its appearance on the international scene to finally shed light on the epidemic of sexual abuse perpetrated by men in power. Beyond the exposure of a dark corner of our social fabric, she has shown how our institutions, both formal and informal, too often protect sexual predators from pain or punishment and pay the highest price. to the victims themselves.
Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings at the Supreme Court and the sexual assault charges brought against him by three women last week prove that this is an issue that affects the highest levels of our society.
The testimony of Ms. Christine Blasey Ford before the Senate Judiciary Committee, claiming that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her while in high school, demonstrated that this movement had acquired the power to practice in the government of our country . The subsequent fire storm shed light on our hyper-partisan politics and alludes to the inability of our system to hold those responsible to account.
An unstoppable force. An immobile object.
This dichotomy left a shadow on the world of sport last week when Cristiano Ronaldo was the subject of an allegation of rape.
The German newspaper Der Spiegel interviewed the accuser of Ronaldo, an American named Kathryn Mayorga, who claimed that Ronaldo raped her nine years ago at a hotel in Las Vegas. Der Spiegel conducted his own investigation into Mayorga's claims, uncovering documents and other evidence in support of his charges.
Last spring, Der Spiegel announced the signing of a confidentiality agreement between Ronaldo and Mayorga for $ 375,000. Mayorga finally spoke to tell his own story the day after the publication and made his own decision to pursue a new civil action against Ronaldo.
Mayorga explains how, on the night of June 12, 2009, Ronaldo tackled it in Rain's VIP area, a nightclub of the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Ronaldo would have bought him a drink and the two men chatted for a while while the paparazzi took photos from far before the phone numbers were exchanged at the exit of the superstar. Later that night, Mayorga said he received an SMS from Ronaldo inviting him to a party in his hotel suite.
Once in a row, Mayorga claims that Ronaldo met her while she was putting herself in a swimsuit to wear in the hotel's hot tub. He would have entered with his penis hanging from his shorts and, according to Mayorga, "he begged me to touch his penis".
According to Mayorga, he repeatedly refused to do so until finally Ronaldo said that she could go there as long as she would kiss her. Mayorga forced him, but said Ronaldo had not given up as he began to grab her even more. She claims to have pushed him and told him "no!"
Ronaldo would have dragged him into an adjacent room. Mayorga explains that "I turned away from him and rolled into a ball. And I held my vagina. And that's when he jumped on my head. She says she said "no" several times.
She claims that Ronaldo has raped her orally. Without condoms and without lubricant.
The day after the alleged rape, Mayorga contacted the police and filed a report. However, she was afraid of Ronaldo's fame and power. She was hesitant to name him as her alleged rapist. She would only make him a professional athlete.
Mayorga was taken to a local hospital where she compiled a rape kit. Doctors have noted swelling and "lacerations" in the anal area.
After discouraging exchanges with the police (detailed in the story of Der Spiegel) and on the advice of his lawyer, Mayorga accepted a private settlement.
Der Spiegel received documents revealing that Ronaldo was aware of the transaction and, in a questionnaire sent to his lawyers, he said: "I came in from behind. It was rude. We have not changed position. 5/7 minutes. She said she did not want to, but she made herself available. But she did not stop saying "No". "Do not do it." "I'm not like the others." I apologized afterwards. "
After Der Spiegel published his report on the settlement last year for the first time, Mayorga sought advice from a new lawyer. Mayorga maintained his regret by signing the settlement instead of pursuing criminal action, emboldened by the Me Too movement and his hope that it would inspire other women to speak.
His lawyer says the settlement should be void because the terms of the agreement are illegally seeking to obstruct a criminal investigation. Therefore, it has never been legally binding, among several other reasons detailed in the article.
Ronaldo called the story "false news" and his lawyers threatened to sue Der Spiegel.
Fame and power have protected men such as Ronaldo and Kavanaugh from the consequences of their actions throughout history. The question remains whether the status quo will be maintained or whether a radically different future awaits us?
Unstoppable forces. Immovable objects.
Rory O'Toole writes Thursday's column on the transformation of athletes and sports media into cultural conversation. Contact him at [email protected].
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