Jimmy Savile sex attack victims told by hospital staff they were “lucky he had paid them attention”

A new NSPCC report has shockingly revealed that sex attack victims of Jimmy Savile were "ignored" and "laughed at" when they came forward about his crimes

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by Kayleigh Dray |
Published on

According to the report, titled 'Would They Actually Have Believed Me?', some of Jimmy Savile's victims - aged between eight and 26 when Savile assaulted them - told hospital staff, who dismissed their claims.

The NSPCC said the research, which was commissioned by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, highlighted the "devastating scars" that victims had suffered from Jimmy Savile's abuse.

Some turned to drink and drugs to cope, others contemplated suicide and so,e suffered mental illness.

Peter Watt, the NSPCC's director of national services, said: "The responses these victims received when they first revealed Savile's sickening crimes makes heart-rending reading.

"They were ignored, dismissed, not believed, laughed at and, astonishingly, told in some cases they should feel lucky he had paid them attention."

Jimmy Savile
Jimmy Savile

"Half a century on, the world finally discovered just how dreadful his crimes were - something these men and women had known all that time but felt powerless to do anything about.

"The anger, frustration and sheer helplessness of the situation obviously damaged their lives in various ways. But they showed true courage in coming forward once more to talk about their experiences and hopefully they can now start to put the terrible trauma behind them."

Up to half a century after his crimes, the world finally discovered just how abusive Jimmy Savile had been, with many victims going to the police after Scotland Yard launched Operation yew tree in the wake of the TV expose about Savile.

But, while victims said the response of police had been largely positive, they still hope to see improvements to the system, including new ways for children and vulnerable people to report sexual abuse.

Jimmy Savile

Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker said: "While we can never right the horrific wrongs committed against these people, we must ensure we do all we can to protect the most vulnerable in our society from becoming victims again in the future.

"This is why I am leading a national group of experts to tackle sexual violence against children and vulnerable people.

"The group will be publishing a new action plan in the spring so that the most robust safeguards are in place to protect the children and vulnerable adults of today and the future."

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