UK- Saville report shows 50 years of allegations, SNAP responds
A new report, issued by the Met Police and NSPCC, shows 50 years of abuse allegations involving hundreds of children and over two dozen police force areas – all stemming from the crimes of Jimmy Saville. The 30-page document shows that Saville abused a child as young as 8 years old, and abused children in places ranging from hospitals and schools, to the BBC.
We are truly sickened and saddened to learn of such wide-spread and unadulterated abuse by such a public figure. How was Saville able to run amuck without being checked by police, hospital officials or his bosses at the BBC?
While we are glad that an investigation into these abuses has taken place, in many ways, it is too little too late. We hope that the investigation will go further than investigating Saville (who died in 2011), and investigate all the officials who either looked the other way or actively tried to cover his crimes. In the famous words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it.”
And investigating his crimes is not enough. Someone must step forward and help his victims. It can help victims heal when the truth is exposed. But again, that’s not enough. Hundreds of adults have suffered – and likely are still suffering – because of the ignorance and callousness and recklessness of Saville’s employers. At an absolute bare minimum, they need and deserve medical and psychological help.
This tragedy should serve as a reminder to all of us: Anyone who sees, suspects, or suffers abuse should come forward to police and start healing, no matter who the perpetrator may be.
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Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director