Savile abuse revelations have led to us helping more victims
As we enter a new year, I would like to say a personal thank you to all of your readers in Leicestershire and Rutland who have helped support the NSPCC throughout 2012.
It has been an incredibly busy year for the NSPCC, both locally and nationally.
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Many people will have seen or heard about the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse inquiry in the media.
As of early December, the NSPCC and the police have identified more than 450 victims of sexual abuse by Savile, of which over 80 per cent were children or young people.
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Overall, the number of contacts to the NSPCC helpline around sexual abuse, both historic and current, has nearly tripled since the Savile revelations.
This means we can help more historic victims than ever before to finally get the support they need and, crucially, we can also protect children who are at risk right now.
Child abuse remains a widespread problem and children are still being abused today.
Our work makes a huge difference to the lives of local children and those across the UK, but we wouldn't be able to run our direct services or helplines without the amazing support of our community and corporate fund-raising groups.
In 2012, local groups organised a huge range of fund-raising events from coffee mornings and luncheons to fashion shows and carol concerts.
Local people also raised money by taking part in our Hike Against Cruelty to Kids (Hack), The Big Skydive and the London marathon. And many others helped to raise awareness of our campaigns through Facebook and Twitter. Thank you to everyone!
Next year promises to be a very exciting time for the NSPCC in Leicestershire and Rutland.
The NSPCC Leicester Service Centre will continue to pioneer new approaches to address the significant child protection problems facing local children, and the ChildLine Schools Service aims to visit even more primary schools to help ensure younger children know what abuse is and how to get help if they need it.
We have made significant strides to help children this year, but still need the public's support to continue our work.
If any of your readers would like to make a new year's resolution to help support the NSPCC either by organising an event or making a regular donation, I would love to hear from them.
People can ring me on 01780 471 007 or e-mail me at the address below.
Wishing all your readers a very happy new year.
belsey@nspcc.org.uk
Barbara Elsey, NSPCC Community fund-raising manager, Leicestershire and Rutland
Comments
by rhino
Tuesday, January 01 2013, 7:12PM
“l would say this jimmy saville business as gone a wee bit over the top, most young girls know exactly what they are up to, even so nowadays.
In the days of the 60s it was a feather in their cap to do something outragious and get into stars dressing rooms etc.
They were known as groupies back then.
How many young girls have been with all the top groups that are still performing at this moment in time. 50 years on and bragging about it! I suppose after they are dead they will then accuse they of sexual abuse!”
by JR7816
Tuesday, January 01 2013, 3:53PM
“Thanks for supporting my view. You might be interested in this interesting article and associated comments on The Opinion Site:
http://tinyurl.com/aktcq7r
To date, the NSPCC have not responded to the author's invitation to publish a reply!”
by Kohelet
Monday, December 31 2012, 10:15PM
“I have to agree with JR7816 and find the tone of this letter in poor taste, a blatant attempt to fund raise on the back of this terrible series of events”
by JR7816
Monday, December 31 2012, 4:40PM
“No, Ms Elsey, the NSPCC have not 'identified more than 450 VICTIMS of sexual abuse by Savile'. You and other organisations have blatantly trawled until you have 'identified 450 ACCUSERS'. Have you forgotten that the accused are 'Innocent until Proved Guilty' - even the dead? How have you reached the conclusion that all these people are telling the truth, and not just using their imagination in a bid for attention and compensation?
Historic allegations of sexual abuse are believed far too readily these days, and have resulted in a great number of elderly men being sent to prison simply because they are unable to prove their innocence of something claimed to have happened 30 or 40 years before. Lord McAlpine was in a unique position to provide proof and his accuser was discredited. For the general public such proof is usually impossible. The police and CPS just have to extract a story to tell to a trusting jury, and they can then claim to have solved yet another 'crime'.
Please don't jump to the conclusion that I don't support your good work with current cases of abuse, but you really shouldn't be making judgements on ancient stories unsupported by actual proof.
The real victims here are the wrongly convicted, and their wives and families.”