If the Vile Jimmy Savile Revelations Hadn't Come Out, Abuse Would Still Only Be Whispered about

By Fiona Phillips
The Mirror
October 27, 2012

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/fiona-phillips-on-jimmy-savile-and-how-1401491

Leering: Sir Jimmy Savile

If it weren't for the revelation of his prolific abuse of young children, paedophilia might still be where it was

As much as I'm sick of seeing his leering, lecherous face, chewing on his fat "look at me, I'm more important than you" cigar.

As much as I cringe when I see his medallion-adorned chest, shell-suit teasingly unzipped to expose it.

As much as I abhor the vile ­turbocharged egocentricity that made him think they "wanted it" as much as he did.

And as much as I really don't want to say this, I'm going to.

I'm going to say there is a positive to the mire of misery and depravity and vile ­exploitation wreaked by Jimmy Savile.

Because, if it weren't for the revelation of his prolific abuse of young children, paedophilia might still be where it was.

Largely not talked about. Or ­whispered. The abused struck dumb by shame.

We are all complicit in it by thinking it impossible that something so viscerally abhorrent could be committed by an adult against a vulnerable child. But at least, now, we're talking about it. And we're talking it about it openly. And so, more ­importantly, are those that live with the damage of having been abused.

I heard a heartbreaking conversation between presenter Nicky Campbell and a caller on Radio 5 Live this week – a man who'd been regularly abused by his brother and who'd carried the pain for 50 years.

His voice was racked with suffering, as he pleaded for help, for an end to his torture. I don't think he'd have had the courage to speak out if it weren't for the fact that we're all speaking about it now.

Scotland Yard revealed on Thursday that they're so far dealing with more than 300 alleged victims of Savile, most of whom, presumably, have remained silent until now.

Commander Peter Spindler said the Savile inquiry will be a "watershed" moment in the investigation of child abuse. It must also be a moment that lingers on and on.

It must be a moment that not only deals with paedophiles, but provides help for their victims.

The charity The National Association for People Abused in Childhood has been bombarded with calls.

Chief executive Peter Saunders said: "...it is well over 2,500 calls... and is rapidly heading towards 3,000... it has been relentless. Normally we deal with up to 300 inquiries weekly but since Savile it is up to 800 a week."

The NSPCC says it's received 161 calls related to Savile and 105 from those wanting to talk about abuse by others.

These are people who, largely, have suffered in silence for years. They need to tell someone, to rid their minds and bodies of it.

They need more access to professional talk. But they also need action.

If nothing is done, the silent culture will return. And we all know the kind of people who'll be rubbing their hands together if that happens.