Jimmy Savile abuse claims reach 500, including child aged two
Children's charity NSPCC says Jimmy Savile may be the 'most prolific sex offender' it has ever encountered
The number of reports of abuse by presenter Jimmy Savile has reached more than 500, including an alleged victim aged just two, according to research by the NSPCC.
The children's charity says the DJ may be the "most prolific sex offender" it has ever come across.
The research, carried out for BBC Panorama, found that most of the abuse took place on BBC premises, in hospitals and at children's homes, with most of the alleged victims aged between 13 and 15.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Peter Watt, director of child protection at the NSPCC, told BBC Breakfast that Savile saw himself as "immune". He added: "Behind these statistics are individual children whose lives were ruined by a man who was an opportunistic sexual predator."
The earliest incident dated back to the mid-1940s, with the most recent in 2007.
An investigation by Panorama and Radio 4's World at One has also unveiled leaked memos that show the extent of Savile's influence at Broadmoor psychiatric hospital, where he was appointed to reform the hospital.
The memos suggest that civil servants were so star-struck by the presenter they referred to him as "Dr Savile". Panorama has been told about 16 reports of abuse at the hospital.
One woman claimed Savile had taken her to Broadmoor in 1971 at the age of 14 to sing for the patients. She said the visit was the "scariest experience of my life".
She told the BBC: "He reassured me by putting his arm on my shoulder and rubbing my arm, and then he gave me a cuddle and so he was touching my breasts, and he kissed me and he tried to put his tongue in my mouth."
She said she was later groomed over a two-year period by Savile in his Top of The Pops dressing room.
The BBC has said it is "appalled" at Savile's crimes. The broadcaster and the Department of Health are due to publish reports into Savile later this year.
- Panorama - Savile: The Power to Abuse is on BBC One on 2 June at 8.30pm
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Kamala Harris' 'pragmatic' plan for the economy
The Explainer Tax credits for manufacturing, small businesses, affordable housing
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
TV to watch in October, from 'Disclaimer' and 'The Franchise'
The Week Recommends An HBO comedy from the 'Veep' creator, a mystery from master filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón and a reboot of an '80s classic
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Is death a thing of the past?
Under The Radar Scientists discover multicellular life forms emerging from the cells of dead organisms, raising profound ethical questions
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The ongoing nightmare of Chloe Ayling's abduction
In depth The model hopes the BBC's new drama detailing her 2017 kidnapping will finally bring an end to her traumatic ordeal
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Huw Edwards pleads guilty to making indecent images of children
Speed Read 'Chaos' outside Westminster Magistrates' Court before former BBC presenter's hearing
By The Week Staff Published
-
Russell Brand: trial by media?
Comedian denies accusations of sexual assault and rape in joint media investigation
By The Week Staff Published
-
Landmark report calls for compensation for child abuse victims
Speed Read Institutions ignored allegations and prioritised their own reputations, finds seven-year inquiry
By Fred Kelly Published
-
Telford inquiry: unease about race meant mass sex abuse ignored
Speed Read Three-year inquiry described police inaction over abuse as a 'shocking failure'
By Richard Windsor Published
-
What we know about the Copenhagen mall shooting
Speed Read Lone gunman had mental health issues and not thought to have terror motive, police say
By The Week Staff Published
-
What happened to Logan Mwangi?
Today's Big Question Mother, stepfather and teenager sentenced to life for murder of five-year-old boy
By The Week Staff Published
-
Texas school shooting: parents turn anger on police
Speed Read Officers had to be urged to enter building where gunman killed 21 people
By The Week Staff Published