Have courage and speak ou- Savile reports

THE two reports on the sexual predations — and perversions — of the late paedophile Jimmy Savile published yesterday are a shocking reminder of what can happen when position and authority are misused to protect criminal behaviour.

We have had more than enough of our own experiences in this area but, despite huge efforts, we cannot be certain that the cliché — “this can never happen again” — rings true.

The latest reports on Savile’s attacks record that many complaints were made but that most of them were shrugged off. One victim, a young girl of eight, who had the courage to complain, was told not to be silly and “did she not know how much money Savile raised for the hospital”. The monster’s behaviour was “an open secret” as early as 1973, yet he continued unchallenged until his death just four years ago.