Ireland women's manager Vera Pauw has revealed she was subjected to sexual abuse during her days as a footballer.
In a statement released on Twitter this evening, Pauw said that she was raped and sexually assaulted by three men who worked in Dutch football 35 years ago.
"For 35 years I have kept a secret from the world, from myself, from my team-mates, my players, my colleagues and, I can now accept, from myself," the statement begins.
"Even those closest to me have not known of the rape I endured at the hands of a prominent football official when I was a young player. Later two sexual assaults by two other men were added to this record. All three men were employed within Dutch football at the time of these incidents.
"Only those I can trust have known until now of the systematic sexual abuse, abuse of power, bullying, intimidation, isolation and framing I was exposed to as a player and as a national coach in Dutch football.
"For the past 35 years, I have kept the abuse private. I have allowed the memory of it to control my life, to fill me with daily pain and anguish, to dominate my inner feelings.
"To many I am seen as a brash and loud football coach and manager, a tough woman who has risen to the top in a man's world. Nothing could be further from the truth.
"For the past number of years I have tried to have my case heard in a fair and just manner by the football authorities in the Netherlands but to no avail. Some people would rather keep my rape and secual assaults quiet than offer me the support I need by opening this story to the world. I can no longer share this silence.
"After failing to get a satisfactory response to my request for action on an investigation initiated by the Dutch FA following my fifth report to them. I recently reported my rape and sexual assaults to the Dutch police. This already feels like the beginning of the end for me but I know there will be more heartache to come.
"Stories may appear in the Dutch media of my horrific ordeal, and I know claims may be made against me in an effort to tarnish my story. I take full responsibility for what I did and what I failed to do.
"Trust me, my story is very real and very true. I know going public is going to throw the spotlight on my life in a manner I have never experienced before but I also hope that other young footballers and coaches who are exposed to anything like the rape and abuse I suffered will now feel brave enough to come forward and share their stories.
"This will not be an easy time for ma and for my family and for now I ask you all to respect what is left of my privacy.
"Finally, I would like to thank my Irish backroom staff and my players, the FAI's management and board, all my FAI colleagues and the Ireland fans for the support they have shown me as manager of the Ireland team. I have always felt safe and continue to feel safe and supported in Ireland and I cannot tell you how good that feels. I hope that support will continue in Ireland for me now that I have shared my story and my pain.
"This is who I am, I don't have to hide any more. I hope I can continue my life in freedom.
"Thank you,
"Vera."
The FAI have this evening released a statement giving their full support to Vera Pauw, who took over as women's national team manager in 2019.
"The Football Association of Ireland has given its full support to Republic of Ireland Women’s Senior Team Manager Vera Pauw at this difficult time in her life as she makes very brave revelations about her past," begins the statement.
"Vera has engaged on this matter with the Association’s senior leaders for some time now and the FAI has offered her all the backing she may need on a personal and professional level.
"The FAI is absolutely aware of the impact these revelations will have on Vera’s well-being and have assured her of the ongoing full support of the FAI Board and all her colleagues at the Association.
The statement concludes, "The FAI will be making no further comment on this matter and asks the media to respect Vera’s privacy at this very difficult time."
In the past, Pauw has spoken of how she feels "safe" in the Irish football environment. However, she has mentioned how sport in general has an issue with how women are treated.
When she was asked last October for reaction to allegations of abusive behaviour and sexual misconduct in the National Women's Soccer League, where North Carolina Courage (Who Irish stars Denise O'Sullivan and Diane Caldwell played for at the time) coach Paul Riley has been fired over allegations of sexual coercion and bullying, Pauw had this to say.
She said: “This is happening too much in women’s sport, not only in women’s football but everywhere. I hope that I can be on the barricades to support the movement.”
Pauw added: “I don’t want to minimise it to there [the US]. It is all over the world and it happens on a daily basis.
“That’s the only thing I want to say about it because there are people who want to change things.
“I play my part in all that, I always played my part and I never came out with that to protect people, but it is something that is going on for too long.
“I am happy I am not the only one anymore. There are a lot of people of course standing on the barricades.
“I have always chosen to do it behind the scenes but, trust me, it has happened all over the world; everywhere where I have coached.”
She added: “I want to highlight that this is a problem in women’s sport in general. All over the world. Not only there, not only far away situations, it has been close.
“In Ireland I have never experienced anything like that, yet. And I hope it keeps like that. In every other country I have experienced it.
“Here in Ireland I feel safe. There is a safe environment. You feel that also in the squad.”
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