News by email Donate

Suggestions

Jimmy-Savile-Main_article_image.jpg
Rex
UK News

Savile report "a wake-up call" for the BBC, says church safeguarding expert

by Aaron James

Simon Bass, from the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS), was speaking after the release of the Dame Janet Smith report (below) on the former DJs' sexual crimes - and how the BBC responded to them.

PA

The report found Savile raped and sexually assaulted 72 people while working for the BBC since 1959, while Stuart Hall sexually assaulted 21 people since the 1960s.

Jimmy Savile died in 2011 before any charges could be brought against him, while Stuart Hall was jailed in 2013 after admitting indecently assaulting 13 girls, the youngest being nine years old.

BBC staff missed five opportunities to expose what they were doing because of a culture of "fear and reverence" towards its talent which left them unchallenged and victims not believed.

There was also a culture of treating victims claiming they were abused by the DJs as nuisances.

PA

Simon Bass, from CCPAS, told Premier: "There needs to be a change clearly of culture in terms of making it more open, which means that everyone should have safeguarding training.

"It would appear that the executive management at the BBC were not made aware, and the question has to be: why?

"CCPAS has been calling for mandatory reporting for some time now, because we simply don't have a duty to report abuse.

"I hope that this is a wake-up call."

The inquiry did exonerate the corporation as a whole, as it found no evidence that senior executives knew about Hall or Savile's abuse.

The BBC has apologised to the victims and has admitted it failed them. It has also pledged to fully review its safeguarding practices and policies - something it has been doing ever since allegations against Hall and Savile came to light.

Listen to Premier's Alex Williams speaking to Simon Bass on the News Hour:

News you can believe in. Stand with Premier Christian News today.

Your gift today ensures that Premier Christian News can press forward in strength, reaching more people with biblical truth and shaping the future of Christian thought. It’s more than just a donation—it’s an investment in renewed minds and transformed lives. 

Without continued support, the ability to create and distribute resources that strengthen faith and equip the church will be compromised. But with your help, we can grow deeper, stand firmer, and shine brighter in the culture.

Your support today is critical.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate