Jimmy Savile's Victims Suffering from 'War' Stress Condition after Reliving Abuse at Hospitals
The Mirror
[with video] Some victims of Jimmy Savile have suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of revealing their experiences during the inquiries into the former DJ’s abuse at NHS hospitals. They developed PTSD or had an ongoing PTSD made worse by the stress of having to go back to the hospitals where they were abused to tell their horrific stories. Under the terms of the three separate inquiries, victims had to give evidence at either Broadmoor, Stoke Mandeville or Leeds General Infirmary. They have revealed the experience of having to relive their ordeals at the place the abuse happened caused intense stress. The medical issues and fall out from suffering abuse will form part of the evidence taken into consideration when awarding compensation. The inquiries into Savile’s behaviour at the three institutions is the core of an extensive probe into his role in the NHS. Last week, the Department of Health announced it had extended the inquiry and up to 30 hospitals were being looked at. Lawyer Liz Dux, representing more than 70 of the Savile abuse victims, said many of them had suffered reactions. She said that 24 of her clients were abused by Savile while in NHS hospitals and three others in institutions ‘linked’ to the NHS. “My clients have all wanted to give evidence but it has been hard for them," she said. “Some of them have experienced PTSD as a result of telling their stories for the first time. “They wanted to give evidence, but it was hard for them as they had to return to the hospitals where they suffered abuse at the hands of Savile. “They were dealt with sensitively when giving evidence but it was very distressing for all of them. In many cases, they had suppressed the abuse they suffered for decades and going back opened up psychological wounds. “The very fact of giving evidence where they were sexually assaulted has brought back terrible memories. Every time there is further publicity they are forced to relive their experiences. “Some are agoraphobic, others have great difficulty telling their families and some have been unable to form proper relationships.” PTSD - often suffered by soldiers - is a condition in which intense, upsetting emotions persist for a long time after being triggered by a trauma. Events that result in it include natural disasters, accidents, being a victim of assault and war. The symptoms, which can take years to emerge, include daytime flashbacks, panic attacks and sleep disturbance. Ms Dux, head of abuse at nationwide firm Slater & Gordon, said some of her clients would use compensation to pay for private therapy to get better. She said they were offered NHS therapy but it is not known whether that is enough and some wanted to go further. She added: “It is an irony that some have told me a proportion of any compensation they get will be used to pay for private therapy to help them come to terms with what Savile did to them. “These people need follow up therapy and support after baring their souls. They must not be left high and dry.” Private counselling is costly and could include cognitive behavioural therapy, designed to change the way a person thinks. Ms Dux said that the prolonging of the inquiry into the former DJ abusing of patients at NHS hospitals was ‘traumatic’ for her clients. “Every extra day or week this goes on prolongs their ordeals,” she said. “They are desperate to move on with their lives. “The publication of the NHS reports would be a starting point for them. It cannot come soon enough.” Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced the extension of the NHS inquiries in a written statement. He said: “The Metropolitan Police Service has established there was further relevant information regarding Jimmy Savile. “The Department of Health asked the Metropolitan Police Service, through an agreed information sharing process, to review information it held to ascertain if it included material related to health and care settings.” He added that it was “vital” that the final NHS investigation report was “thorough and complete and reflected all the evidence about Jimmy Savile’s pattern of offending”. The Department of Health said: “The Metropolitan Police Service is still reviewing relevant information. It is not yet possible to be sure how many further investigations may need to take place.” A final report will be published in 2014. The former BBC presenter of Top Of The Pops and Jim’ll Fix It is believed to have abused hundreds of victims in over a period spanning five decades. Savile had a bedroom at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, an office and living quarters at Broadmoor, and widespread access to Leeds General Infirmary, He died aged 84 in October 2011 - a year before the allegations were broadcast in an ITV documentary made by former detective Mark Williams-Thomas.
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