Charity hits out at £150-a-head Mike Tyson event in Hampshire (From Daily Echo)
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Rape charity says Mike Tyson should not be welcome in Hampshire
1:00pm Saturday 7th July 2012 in News
By Tara Russell, News Reporter
A CHARITY which campaigns against sexual violence has condemned £150-a-seat talk show featured former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson.
Rape Crisis claims Tyson, who was jailed for rape, should not be branded a legend – and even warned that his appearance may silence women who have been attacked.
Christina Diamandopoulos, of Rape Crisis, which provides rape victims with support, said: “Any offender convicted of sexual violence cannot be counted a legend or hero in any sense without diminishing the importance and seriousness of rape and sexual assault. The message to survivors and to women being victimised, at present, is that ‘society does not think you are important and your suffering is not important’.
“It may have the effect of silencing women or deterring them from coming forward. It is a sign that money speaks louder than humanity.”
Organisers of the event at the city council-owned Portsmouth Guildhall insisted that his controversial behaviour is in the past.
Andy Foreman, who is organising the event for WCBC, said: “What has been done is in the past and it has been done a long time ago. Everyone moves on and he is a family man.”
Andy Grays, chairman of Portsmouth Cultural Trust, which is responsible for the Guildhall, said: “He has served his time. These Mike Tyson events have happened for many years throughout the UK. If he does say or do anything offensive here he will never come here again.”
Tyson became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world at the age of just 20.
But he is as well known for his bad behaviour outside the ring as his brilliance inside it.
In 1992 Tyson was handed a six-year sentence for raping an 18-year-old beauty pageant contestant. He was released after serving three years.
His was also dogged by accusations of domestic violence and drug use. Inside the ropes he infamously bit off part of opponent Evander Holyfield’s ear.
Comments(36)
erica smith
says...
3:10pm Sat 7 Jul 12
alan.of.eastleigh
says...
3:41pm Sat 7 Jul 12
erica smith wrote:Sure. Why not make up the laws as you go along. Yes he committed a crime and yes he served time for it. It is not a crime to enter the country. It is not a crime to pay money to see him. It's a free country. If you do not want to go and pay £150 I respect your decision but please let others make up their own minds.
MIKE TYSON IS A RAPIST AND SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED INTO UK. I believe that all those paying such sums to attend his talk show should be ashamed of themselves. In the majority of cases of rape, the males are the perpertrators and women the victims............ regardless of whether they may have indicated any 'willingness' on their part. NO MEANS NO. and men should be able to accept that and not use their,in this case, considerable strength, to overpower their victim(s)
TheJoiners
says...
3:53pm Sat 7 Jul 12
karenchi
says...
4:26pm Sat 7 Jul 12
The Salv
says...
4:29pm Sat 7 Jul 12
TheJoiners wrote:Excellent point, well made.
How does a convicted Rapist get a visa to get in the UK? I know someone who cant get into the USA with a driving conviction when he was 18. How can this be?
karenchi
says...
4:39pm Sat 7 Jul 12
userds5050
says...
5:35pm Sat 7 Jul 12
rightway
says...
5:58pm Sat 7 Jul 12
Here, There wrote:I cannot believe what a dic you are, the girl Tyson RAPED was 18 years old, if you would care to read the police and medical reports you may not be so quick to defend a convicted sex offender, unless of course you are……………
Where do you stop with this, as a state we entertain those who carry out mass murder, our head of state only recently was entertained by terrorists..it is not a black and white issue and few had sympathy for Desiree as you wouldn't someone who complained about getting their car stolen yet left the keys in it.
On your earlier comment about mass murder and terrorists, remember One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter, and the family of your so called head of state is responsible for more deaths than any man could count.
I try not to resort to childish name calling, but to defend a RAPIST YOU REALLY ARE A DIC, I cannot help asking why would someone defend a RAPIST
IronLady2010
says...
6:01pm Sat 7 Jul 12
Yet we'll put a dog down when it's ill, but not a human who wants an end to pain.
I must be mad!
TimTam
says...
6:17pm Sat 7 Jul 12
TheJoiners wrote:Because we live in broken Britain!
How does a convicted Rapist get a visa to get in the UK? I know someone who cant get into the USA with a driving conviction when he was 18. How can this be?
freemantlegirl2
says...
6:53pm Sat 7 Jul 12
Agree with those who said he shouldn't even be in the country, a similar offender would be allowed nowhere near the US and he would be on the sex offenders register over here ..
Besides all of that £150 to hear him speak!! I've only ever heard him grunt ! a fool and their money and all that and whoever has booked him frankly needs their head examining....
THEKILLER
says...
7:04pm Sat 7 Jul 12
Georgem
says...
7:24pm Sat 7 Jul 12
karenchi wrote:
100% if you have ANY conviction you will not be allowed into the good old US of A..
100% inaccurate. Guaranteed wrong. Why? See below.
How, exactly, are US Border Control going to know the criminal pasts of everyone entering their country, for a start? Inb4 "lol police computers u moron", that's nonsense. Someone made a Freedom of Information request a while back, asking how much access to UK police records the US Border Control actually had. Response? "Oh, none whatsoever". They might get the nod from Interpol if a Kray twin or somebody tries to enter, but by and large they rely on naive honesty when ESTA or visa applicants are asked questions about criminal records.
Georgem
says...
7:27pm Sat 7 Jul 12
IronLady2010 wrote:Dog fighting isn't banned! I can't remember the last time a dog got arrested for fighting another dog. Now, if humans are arranging for dogs to fight, as "sport', that's a different matter. That's cruelty, isn't it?
Dog fighting is banned, but human fighting isn't.
Yet we'll put a dog down when it's ill, but not a human who wants an end to pain.
I must be mad!
Boxing? Both parties consent to the violence, what's the problem?
userds5050
says...
9:41pm Sat 7 Jul 12
Georgem wrote:Good point. I don't believe UK tourists need a visa to travel to the USA. They just need to fill in a visa waiver form which doesn't ask for convictions. It's if you want to stay there longer, work ect that you'll run into problems.
karenchi wrote:
100% if you have ANY conviction you will not be allowed into the good old US of A..
100% inaccurate. Guaranteed wrong. Why? See below.
How, exactly, are US Border Control going to know the criminal pasts of everyone entering their country, for a start? Inb4 "lol police computers u moron", that's nonsense. Someone made a Freedom of Information request a while back, asking how much access to UK police records the US Border Control actually had. Response? "Oh, none whatsoever". They might get the nod from Interpol if a Kray twin or somebody tries to enter, but by and large they rely on naive honesty when ESTA or visa applicants are asked questions about criminal records.
IronLady2010
says...
10:03pm Sat 7 Jul 12
Georgem wrote:Allow me to turn this around, human boxing is illegal unless arranged as a sport.
IronLady2010 wrote:Dog fighting isn't banned! I can't remember the last time a dog got arrested for fighting another dog. Now, if humans are arranging for dogs to fight, as "sport', that's a different matter. That's cruelty, isn't it?
Dog fighting is banned, but human fighting isn't.
Yet we'll put a dog down when it's ill, but not a human who wants an end to pain.
I must be mad!
Boxing? Both parties consent to the violence, what's the problem?
You can't go around boxing others in the street!
Smart ar$e!
Georgem
says...
10:32pm Sat 7 Jul 12
IronLady2010 wrote:What rubbish. Go report an assault. At some point, your statement will have to include the words "I did not give him permission to hit me" or similar. There is nothing illegal about consensual violence amongst adults.
Georgem wrote:Allow me to turn this around, human boxing is illegal unless arranged as a sport.
IronLady2010 wrote:Dog fighting isn't banned! I can't remember the last time a dog got arrested for fighting another dog. Now, if humans are arranging for dogs to fight, as "sport', that's a different matter. That's cruelty, isn't it?
Dog fighting is banned, but human fighting isn't.
Yet we'll put a dog down when it's ill, but not a human who wants an end to pain.
I must be mad!
Boxing? Both parties consent to the violence, what's the problem?
You can't go around boxing others in the street!
Smart ar$e!
Smart arse!
Georgem
says...
10:32pm Sat 7 Jul 12
userds5050 wrote:Problems, but not insurmountable ones, generally.
Georgem wrote:Good point. I don't believe UK tourists need a visa to travel to the USA. They just need to fill in a visa waiver form which doesn't ask for convictions. It's if you want to stay there longer, work ect that you'll run into problems.
karenchi wrote:
100% if you have ANY conviction you will not be allowed into the good old US of A..
100% inaccurate. Guaranteed wrong. Why? See below.
How, exactly, are US Border Control going to know the criminal pasts of everyone entering their country, for a start? Inb4 "lol police computers u moron", that's nonsense. Someone made a Freedom of Information request a while back, asking how much access to UK police records the US Border Control actually had. Response? "Oh, none whatsoever". They might get the nod from Interpol if a Kray twin or somebody tries to enter, but by and large they rely on naive honesty when ESTA or visa applicants are asked questions about criminal records.
IronLady2010
says...
10:39pm Sat 7 Jul 12
Georgem wrote:This is all I mentioned... (why would I report an assault)?
IronLady2010 wrote:What rubbish. Go report an assault. At some point, your statement will have to include the words "I did not give him permission to hit me" or similar. There is nothing illegal about consensual violence amongst adults.
Georgem wrote:Allow me to turn this around, human boxing is illegal unless arranged as a sport.
IronLady2010 wrote:Dog fighting isn't banned! I can't remember the last time a dog got arrested for fighting another dog. Now, if humans are arranging for dogs to fight, as "sport', that's a different matter. That's cruelty, isn't it?
Dog fighting is banned, but human fighting isn't.
Yet we'll put a dog down when it's ill, but not a human who wants an end to pain.
I must be mad!
Boxing? Both parties consent to the violence, what's the problem?
You can't go around boxing others in the street!
Smart ar$e!
Smart arse!
Dog fighting is banned, but human fighting isn't.
"Yet we'll put a dog down when it's ill, but not a human who wants an end to pain.
I must be mad!"
Georgem
says...
10:42pm Sat 7 Jul 12
IronLady2010 wrote:Do I really need to draw you a picture?
Georgem wrote:This is all I mentioned... (why would I report an assault)?
IronLady2010 wrote:What rubbish. Go report an assault. At some point, your statement will have to include the words "I did not give him permission to hit me" or similar. There is nothing illegal about consensual violence amongst adults.
Georgem wrote:Allow me to turn this around, human boxing is illegal unless arranged as a sport.
IronLady2010 wrote:Dog fighting isn't banned! I can't remember the last time a dog got arrested for fighting another dog. Now, if humans are arranging for dogs to fight, as "sport', that's a different matter. That's cruelty, isn't it?
Dog fighting is banned, but human fighting isn't.
Yet we'll put a dog down when it's ill, but not a human who wants an end to pain.
I must be mad!
Boxing? Both parties consent to the violence, what's the problem?
You can't go around boxing others in the street!
Smart ar$e!
Smart arse!
Dog fighting is banned, but human fighting isn't.
"Yet we'll put a dog down when it's ill, but not a human who wants an end to pain.
I must be mad!"
IronLady2010
says...
10:43pm Sat 7 Jul 12
IronLady2010
says...
10:44pm Sat 7 Jul 12
Here, There
says...
2:21am Sun 8 Jul 12
rightway wrote:What is worse questioning the validity of a claim made against a multi millionaire celebrity or trying to justify the slaughter of innocents in the name of freedom ? Would you care to look at the medical records of the victims of bombings ?? I cannot help asking why would someone defend a TERRORIST...unless ??? Dic indeed and today of all days to make the comparison, Tut Tut
Here, There wrote:I cannot believe what a dic you are, the girl Tyson RAPED was 18 years old, if you would care to read the police and medical reports you may not be so quick to defend a convicted sex offender, unless of course you are……………
Where do you stop with this, as a state we entertain those who carry out mass murder, our head of state only recently was entertained by terrorists..it is not a black and white issue and few had sympathy for Desiree as you wouldn't someone who complained about getting their car stolen yet left the keys in it.
On your earlier comment about mass murder and terrorists, remember One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter, and the family of your so called head of state is responsible for more deaths than any man could count.
I try not to resort to childish name calling, but to defend a RAPIST YOU REALLY ARE A DIC, I cannot help asking why would someone defend a RAPIST
dolomiteman
says...
2:55am Sun 8 Jul 12
TimTam wrote:No more like 'the joiners' is talking crap, a driving conviction will not prevent you from entering the USA unlees it was for vehicle theft or causing death by dangerous driving.
TheJoiners wrote:Because we live in broken Britain!
How does a convicted Rapist get a visa to get in the UK? I know someone who cant get into the USA with a driving conviction when he was 18. How can this be?
More to the point why doesn't the echo report this story properly, they fail to say what the talk is about?
cliffwalker
says...
11:30am Sun 8 Jul 12
rightway
says...
12:24pm Sun 8 Jul 12
Here, There wrote:I am neither trying to justify or defend terrorist acts, all I am doing is looking through your smoke screen and once again asking how you can justify your remarks about the rape of an 18 year old.
rightway wrote:What is worse questioning the validity of a claim made against a multi millionaire celebrity or trying to justify the slaughter of innocents in the name of freedom ? Would you care to look at the medical records of the victims of bombings ?? I cannot help asking why would someone defend a TERRORIST...unless ??? Dic indeed and today of all days to make the comparison, Tut TutHere, There wrote: Where do you stop with this, as a state we entertain those who carry out mass murder, our head of state only recently was entertained by terrorists..it is not a black and white issue and few had sympathy for Desiree as you wouldn't someone who complained about getting their car stolen yet left the keys in it.I cannot believe what a dic you are, the girl Tyson RAPED was 18 years old, if you would care to read the police and medical reports you may not be so quick to defend a convicted sex offender, unless of course you are…………… On your earlier comment about mass murder and terrorists, remember One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter, and the family of your so called head of state is responsible for more deaths than any man could count. I try not to resort to childish name calling, but to defend a RAPIST YOU REALLY ARE A DIC, I cannot help asking why would someone defend a RAPIST
Tyson was convicted in a country where it seems justice can be bought by the rich and famous, yet he was convicted.
Georgem
says...
6:48pm Sun 8 Jul 12
IronLady2010 wrote:We DO allow the same thing with animals. Insofar as we have the power to "allow" things to happen in the animal kingdom or otherwise. If we force animals to fight, for our entertainment, that's wrong.
Are you suggesting it's ok for grown men to fight until they're knocked unconcious as a sport, yet we don't allow the same with animals?
Georgem
says...
6:50pm Sun 8 Jul 12
cliffwalker wrote:Tragically, the feeble-minded Echo majority actually do think that. Stole some Toffos from the corner shop? Scum. Lock them up forever.
Do we admit that the criminal justice system is never able to turn a criminal into a law abiding citizen? Is it impossible to reform a criminal? If the answer to either question is yes, we might as well lock up all criminals for ever or just hang them. We certainly can't allow any convict to walk the streets ever again.
IronLady2010
says...
10:40pm Sun 8 Jul 12
Georgem wrote:No we don't, tell me a legal sport that is on TV involving animals fighting until they are unconcious.
IronLady2010 wrote:We DO allow the same thing with animals. Insofar as we have the power to "allow" things to happen in the animal kingdom or otherwise. If we force animals to fight, for our entertainment, that's wrong.
Are you suggesting it's ok for grown men to fight until they're knocked unconcious as a sport, yet we don't allow the same with animals?
It's only legal for humans to fight until they're knocked out in the name of sport?
Animals have more rights than humans?
Here, There
says...
12:11am Mon 9 Jul 12
rightway wrote:No smoke screen, I justify it simply because I was not convinced, that's my opinion, however, a percentage of 12 were... equally as they were when it came to OJ's 'innocence' the system can be manipulated by both sides..its about who they want to stay at the top.
Here, There wrote:I am neither trying to justify or defend terrorist acts, all I am doing is looking through your smoke screen and once again asking how you can justify your remarks about the rape of an 18 year old.
rightway wrote:What is worse questioning the validity of a claim made against a multi millionaire celebrity or trying to justify the slaughter of innocents in the name of freedom ? Would you care to look at the medical records of the victims of bombings ?? I cannot help asking why would someone defend a TERRORIST...unless ??? Dic indeed and today of all days to make the comparison, Tut TutHere, There wrote: Where do you stop with this, as a state we entertain those who carry out mass murder, our head of state only recently was entertained by terrorists..it is not a black and white issue and few had sympathy for Desiree as you wouldn't someone who complained about getting their car stolen yet left the keys in it.I cannot believe what a dic you are, the girl Tyson RAPED was 18 years old, if you would care to read the police and medical reports you may not be so quick to defend a convicted sex offender, unless of course you are…………… On your earlier comment about mass murder and terrorists, remember One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter, and the family of your so called head of state is responsible for more deaths than any man could count. I try not to resort to childish name calling, but to defend a RAPIST YOU REALLY ARE A DIC, I cannot help asking why would someone defend a RAPIST
Tyson was convicted in a country where it seems justice can be bought by the rich and famous, yet he was convicted.
Georgem
says...
10:00am Mon 9 Jul 12
IronLady2010 wrote:Who said anything about sport? A fox might eat a rabbit. That's not sport, that's the food chain in action. We don't legislate against that, because, well, it makes zero sense to even imagine we could. "Mr Fox, you are charged with being a natural predator with intent, under section 8 of the Interfering With Nature Act". Doesn't happen.
Georgem wrote:No we don't, tell me a legal sport that is on TV involving animals fighting until they are unconcious.
IronLady2010 wrote:We DO allow the same thing with animals. Insofar as we have the power to "allow" things to happen in the animal kingdom or otherwise. If we force animals to fight, for our entertainment, that's wrong.
Are you suggesting it's ok for grown men to fight until they're knocked unconcious as a sport, yet we don't allow the same with animals?
It's only legal for humans to fight until they're knocked out in the name of sport?
Animals have more rights than humans?
Quite simple, really. It's got nothing to do with "rights" or TV, or anything. Time to turn off the TV, I think.
sarfhamton
says...
10:41am Mon 9 Jul 12
Basically would i pay £150 to see Mike Tyson? No.
Should people have the right to do so? Yes.
My only concern is why would anyone want to see this rapist idiot?
karenchi
says...
11:08am Tue 10 Jul 12
VW
says...
10:07am Tue 24 Jul 12
VW
says...
10:09am Tue 24 Jul 12
Here, There says...
2:05pm Sat 7 Jul 12