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British Police Find Jimmy Savile Case Has Spurred Reports of Child Sexual Abuse British Police Find Jimmy Savile Case Has Spurred Reports of Child Sexual Abuse
(about 2 hours later)
LONDON — Jimmy Savile, the disgraced British television personality the authorities say sexually abused dozens of victims over more than two decades, died before he could be prosecuted. But new data released this week by the police suggests that revelations about his catalog of sexual misconduct have helped transform the attitudes of many victims and also led to a greater willingness to report abuse.LONDON — Jimmy Savile, the disgraced British television personality the authorities say sexually abused dozens of victims over more than two decades, died before he could be prosecuted. But new data released this week by the police suggests that revelations about his catalog of sexual misconduct have helped transform the attitudes of many victims and also led to a greater willingness to report abuse.
The British police are investigating more than 1,400 people, among them 261 high-profile figures, including celebrities and politicians, who face accusations of child abuse in the past, according to a report released on Wednesday. The report was released as part of Operation Hydrant by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, a group of law enforcement officials who are collecting data about “allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse within institutions or by people of public prominence.” The British police are investigating more than 1,400 people, among them 261 high-profile figures, including celebrities and politicians, who face accusations of child abuse in the past, according to a report released on Wednesday. The report was presented as part of Operation Hydrant by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, a group of law enforcement officials who are collecting data about “allegations of nonrecent child sexual abuse within institutions or by people of public prominence.”
The report does not identify any suspects, but it provides a daunting “snapshot” of the challenges facing the police and public after decades of failing to properly deal with sexual abuse. The report does not identify any suspects, but it provides a daunting “snapshot” of the challenges facing the police and the public after decades of failing to properly deal with sexual abuse.
Chief Constable Simon Bailey, who runs the operation coordinating the inquiries, described the scale of the abuse as “stark” and said that those being investigated included 135 people from the world of television, film or radio; 76 politicians; 43 members of the music industry; and seven people involved in sports.Chief Constable Simon Bailey, who runs the operation coordinating the inquiries, described the scale of the abuse as “stark” and said that those being investigated included 135 people from the world of television, film or radio; 76 politicians; 43 members of the music industry; and seven people involved in sports.
The report said that the abuse cases involving the 1,433 suspects encompassed institutions across the country, including schools, children’s homes, religious institutions and medical establishments.The report said that the abuse cases involving the 1,433 suspects encompassed institutions across the country, including schools, children’s homes, religious institutions and medical establishments.
Mr. Bailey said that based on figures from 12 police forces in England and Wales and the caseload of child abuse episodes reported from 2012 to the first quarter of 2015, the police in England and Wales were expected to receive about 113,000 reports of child abuse in 2015, a 71 percent increase compared with 2012. Chief Constable Bailey said that based on figures from 12 police forces in England and Wales and the caseload of child abuse episodes reported from 2012 to the first quarter of 2015, the police in those places were expected to receive about 113,000 reports of child abuse in 2015, a 71 percent increase compared with 2012.
“What we are seeing is an absolutely unprecedented increase in the number of reports that are coming forward,” he said. “There is no doubt Savile has had an effect on us. We are dealing with more and more allegations.”“What we are seeing is an absolutely unprecedented increase in the number of reports that are coming forward,” he said. “There is no doubt Savile has had an effect on us. We are dealing with more and more allegations.”
He noted that while much of the news media scrutiny had focused on well-known personalities or institutions, the vast majority of the victims are abused by family members or friends.He noted that while much of the news media scrutiny had focused on well-known personalities or institutions, the vast majority of the victims are abused by family members or friends.
In February, a report concluded that despite complaints against him and a reputation for inappropriate sexual behavior, Mr. Savile — for decades regarded as a national treasure, and known for his eccentric outfits and larger-than-life personality — used his status and charity work to gain access to potential victims at hospitals and at the British Broadcasting Corporation, where he worked for several decades.In February, a report concluded that despite complaints against him and a reputation for inappropriate sexual behavior, Mr. Savile — for decades regarded as a national treasure, and known for his eccentric outfits and larger-than-life personality — used his status and charity work to gain access to potential victims at hospitals and at the British Broadcasting Corporation, where he worked for several decades.
The revelations about his abuse came to light after he died in 2011 at the age of 84, and they prompted a national debate over how he was able to methodically abuse his victims with impunity.The revelations about his abuse came to light after he died in 2011 at the age of 84, and they prompted a national debate over how he was able to methodically abuse his victims with impunity.
The case also prompted prosecutors to look with renewed vigor at decades-old cases of abuse. Sheila Taylor, from the national working group on child sexual exploitation, said the report emphasized how victims were no longer afraid to speak up about their abuse.The case also prompted prosecutors to look with renewed vigor at decades-old cases of abuse. Sheila Taylor, from the national working group on child sexual exploitation, said the report emphasized how victims were no longer afraid to speak up about their abuse.
“This investigation is massive and a testimony to how the attitude to victims is changing, how those who have been victims have previously felt unable to come forward or have done so but not been believed, but now have confidence that they will be believed and listened to.”“This investigation is massive and a testimony to how the attitude to victims is changing, how those who have been victims have previously felt unable to come forward or have done so but not been believed, but now have confidence that they will be believed and listened to.”