Rape victim claims convicted rapist Evans' attempted comeback making sufferers relive ordeals

A rape victim has slammed League One club Oldham Athletic for considering signing convicted rapist and former Sheffield United striker Ched Evans, warning that it is forcing sufferers to relive their ordeal.

Rape victim Jill Saward said that Oldham should be ashamed for considering signing Evans, adding that it perpetuates the agony of victims.

The campaigner waived her anonymity to help others after the rape in West London in 1986, the Mirror reported.

Clare Phillipson, of Wearside Women in Need, said that the furore would stop others reporting rape, adding that this has been all about Evans, not his victim.

Evans was released from jail in October half-way through a five-year term for raping a 19-year-old in 2011. He maintains his innocence and his conviction is being investigated by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Liverpool-born Saward became the rape first victim in the UK to waive her right to secrecy in order to campaign for better treatment of fellow victims.

Last week Oldham Athletic were on the verge of signing Evans, only pulling out of a deal after threats to staff and their families.

Saward, who was attacked by four men who broke into her father's vicarage in London in 1986 and beat her father before raping her, said that she has spoken to rape crisis organisations and for many women this is bringing back their own ordeal, and that causes real harm.

The mother-of-three added that people do not want to see rapists on football pitches and on their TV sets.