Opinion Writer Megan Heffey investigates the allegations made against dead entertainer Jimmy Savile and expresses her own opinion on the current situation.
Sir Jimmy Savile, a showbiz legend, recognized for his outstanding career in broadcasting and charitable contributions with the honour of a knighthood, has just had the roles of paedophile, sexual assault villain, and rapist posthumously added to his already varied CV. A recent police inquiry has been launched into allegations that during his career, Savile sexually abused a number of teenagers, with the exact figure currently unconfirmed.
These claims have come nearly a year after the starÔÇÖs death, which begs the question as to whether or not it is worth raising these issues, and accusing a man who can no longer be held accountable for his alleged actions. Is this fair?
Personally, I believe the public have taken the easy option, in choosing to blame a dead man who is unable to refute the claims. It is unfair to lay these accusations on someone who hasnÔÇÖt got the chance to defend himself. So far, although police have officially recorded eight criminal allegations against Savile, they remain unproven. IsnÔÇÖt innocent until proven guilty the cornerstone upon which our Criminal Justice system is based?
I firmly believe that it is always fair for justice to be obtained under these circumstances, but searching for justice from Savile at this point literally leads to nothing other than a dead end. What about those still alive who could be said to have been at fault? The newspapers which have been quick enough to condemn Savile could have broken this story at the time. ArenÔÇÖt we forgetting about all those journalists who claim to have heard the rumours about SavileÔÇÖs inappropriate behaviour when it was happening? The Sun, which is campaigning to have SavileÔÇÖs knighthood posthumously removed, has published stories with less than a whiff of truth to them; the confessions of journalists in relation to Savile are tantamount to evidence in comparison. I find it just as pertinent of a question to ask why these newspapers didnÔÇÖt act at the time these sexual assaults were being committed and publish the story if journalists knew about them? The publication of this information could have undoubtedly helped some of these victims obtain justice at a time when the accused would be able to pay for his crimes, and could have potentially prevented some of the later assaults.
In an interview with Sky news, Esther Rantzen has publicly acknowledged that she could have acted sooner, and exclaimed her ÔÇ£regretÔÇØ for ignoring a child who had brought forward claims. IsnÔÇÖt that worthy of a little blame? I think so!
The need for closure after psychologically traumatising events is understandable, and the aim of this is not to belittle or question the legitimacy of these allegations. However, couldnÔÇÖt it be said that closure came with his death and the reassuring knowledge that no one else would be harmed in the way the victims were? What other closure can these victims hope to get now, when the perpetrator of these crimes is dead? It is too late for justice for the victims of these crimes from Savile, because he cannot be punished. It is as pure and simple as that.
These claims have eclipsed any positive contributions that this broadcasting legend made during his life, and the legacy that he left behind has been tarnished to the point of no return. Savile will forevermore be known as a rapist, and an abuser. Surely this has to be considered justice, as whatever happened in the past, there is only one definitive truth about Savile in the present: Jim certainly canÔÇÖt fix it now.
Whats good for the goose is good for the gander. I don’t understand pedophilia. It does seem ÔÇ£selfÔÇØ perpetuating.It also appears that people at the BBC are or at least were involved in a cover up. When will they learn.A very good example of how these things can play out is the Jerry Sandusky case at Penn State University recently in the United States. Heads are still rolling as a result. The excuse their was also.ÔÇØWe thought someone else was following up on the complaintsÔÇØ. My humble advice is to bring it all out into the light and let the chips fall where they may..