30 or 40 years ago it was a different culture and people were believed on reputation, celebrity and importance. Kids then didnt have a voice and any time one shouted up against something (even minor things) they were branded trouble makers and disruptive. Child protection was not the focus it is today, it should have been but it wasnt.
Paedophiles are secretive, manipulative, and very plausible in their denials. If a 14 year old girl had the courage and support to complain then it would have felt like she was on trial because how could a "national treasure" like Saville be so vile. Having been so abused it would have taken incredible strength to fight back and be believed, it would have taken support that often did not exist. The rights and the importance of what a child said in court were also different to now. These crimes were committed in private with no witness ..... yes people can say he allegedly took girls to a room but no one actually knows what went on other than the victim and him ....... his reputation and word against that of a frightened kid...... he knew that, it is what gave him confidence to allegedly continue for decades. Even now it has taken death before many feel they can speak
There were not the victim support agencies or procedures in the 60's and 70's, there was still a whole chunk of society that would have blamed the girl. Nor were people like police, medical professions, carers trained or vetted in such things like they are now. It is easy to judge others for not spotting it by todays standards but unless they actively colluded with Savilles alledged behaviour then i think you have to have a little understanding for those that didnt act even when we all think they should have. It is quite likely that any whistle blower would have been viewed as a trouble maker when compared to the "national treasure" and lost jobs, reputation etc...... this was not just sexual and child abuse but also abuse of power ...... and abuse of power/control is a key tool in a paedophiles plan
None of that makes it right, but people then and now often fail to act on many things because of self interest (that can be simple fear). It is easy to criticise but until everyone rejects such behaviour it sadly will continue. It still continues. Child or sexual abuse is not new and it is still covered by layers of secrecy and fear.
Had these alleged acts never taken place then no one would have been blamed for not shouting up......... only one man is in the frame for these acts. In a perfect world people would have shouted up, in a perfect world the women and children would not have been abused .......... sadly the world isnt anywhere close to perfect
We should in no way cloud or shadow the depravity of the alleged crimes committed, by focussing on those who did not collude in it, passively or otherwise decades ago. BUT we are right to question it
I would like to think I and the folk I know would all speak up.................... I can not put into words how much I abhor what was done to these children and women
OSB - husband and father of 2 girls 1 lad