On Jimmy Savile, and judgementalism.

[miss_s_b]

So, the reason the CPS didn't prosecute him wasn't for lack of evidence. In which case, what was it? I think this blog post probably has it spot on. But, with regard to the way a lot of people are talking about this, there is one thing that's leaving me very disturbed, and that's the number of people who are othering Savile.

You can tell he was a paedo, look at him! goes the refrain. Well, if you could tell he was a paedo, why didn't you do something about it? The answer, of course, is that you couldn't. You couldn't and you can't tell what someone's criminal proclivities are by looking at them. You can't say that someone is a theif because they wear a stripy jumper and have a "mum" tattoo, you can't say someone is a serial killer because they have greasy hair, and you can't say someone is a paedo because they like the bling.

Of course, the reason people reach for this crap is because if you can Other Savile, you don't have to admit that there might be others like him, perhaps people that you know. Uncle Bob isn't like that, look at him he's normal; Auntie Joan is just friendly, there's nothing weird about it... And this is why people who report don't get believed, and the rape culture continues.

I know this is a big ask, but can we not just treat individual cases as individuals? And look at the evidence for each case instead of making stupid assumptions of guilt or innocence based on stereotypes? And let people be tried under due process rather than in the court of public opinion?

Yeah, I know, too big an ask... :(

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Of course nowadays if a girl was in local authority care and they reported they were being abused and complained about it they'd be taken much more seriously.

Then I think about Rochdale.....

Hywel

[(Anonymous)]

Absolutely agree - everyone is talking about blame. They blame the victims, the BBC, the police and colleagues who failed to act. They say the perpetrator was a weirdo and "everyone could see it". This happens so often with child sex abuse (including my personal experience).

The fact is that most abuse is perpetrated by people who do not look weird or stand out. There is huge prejudice and harassment of people who do look "odd".

The issue should be about child protection - how children and other vulnerbale people can be safe, how to recognize danger and improper behaviour, how to report it and (most importantly) how to be heard. We gain nothing from blaming other people if we are not also forming decent ways to listen out for child abuse, and act on it where appropriate - no matter how unlikely, or how upright the alleged perpetrator.

[miss_s_b]

The problem is that child protection is HARD while demonising tracksuit-wearing weirdos is easy.

[ginasketch]

They blame the victims, the BBC, the police and colleagues who failed to act

Apart from the victims, I see no problem with the others listed sharing part of the blame. Yes, the perpetuator is the main jerk, but people who turn a blind eye to these things because "oh, he's a nice man, really" can take a running jump as well.

[ginasketch]

It's the people who seem charming and "normal" that are the most dangerous predators because they can blend into society better. I've been saying this for years- hardly anyone ever listens.

[miss_s_b]

Sad, isn't it?

[ginasketch]

I was trying to explain this to someone who was outraged that I was disappointed in Justin Lee Collins. "Oh, but it's alleged, you have no proof yet!"

Sorry, but when people say things like "I only slapped her to calm her down because she was self-harming," they will get no sympathy from me.

[miss_s_b]

I find the JL-C thing incredibly triggery for the victim-blaming in the discussion of the girlfriend's evidence, and in HIS evidence.

[ginasketch]

I felt stomach-lurchingly sick when I saw it.

And I knew everyone would start going "oh, but he seems like such a nice/funny man!"

[miss_s_b]

Never been someone I have been a fan of, but then I'm shockingly behind on pop culture.

[ginasketch]

I'm not really a fan of his- I was pretty much indifferent, but I'm disappointed whenever anyone does these things.

[rankersbo.wordpress.com]

It's a good job I've just read reports and haven't read any "discussion" of the girlfriends evidence, then.

[(Anonymous)]

Good post.