TV star Jimmy Savile, who died last year at the age of 84, is believed to have been one of the UK’s most prolific sex offenders. Estimates suggest that as many as 300 people may have been abused by Savile. Savile’s case is followed by further allegations of child abuse involving MPs, judges and bankers. This blog entitled “Researching Reform” nicely summarises and so we use their text for today’s pre-debate post:
“A very interesting website called Social Work Social Care & Media are running a series of public debates on Twitter, which sees professionals within the family justice system, service users and interested tweeters sharing ideas and talking about the latest topics highlighted in the family justice system.
This week’s debate is about the allegations relating to Jimmy Savile and as the title suggests, will explore the things our government, the system and various professional sectors may have learned as a result of the tragedy, or are currently learning, as the story seems to take a series of new and unpleasant turns every day.
How are television personalities and high-profile people in general manipulating their environment to hide criminal activity, in this case, child abuse? What has the national scandal taught us about power, trust and prejudice? And can this terrible tragedy be used to make sure things like this are never swept under the carpet again? As more allegations of child abuse come to light in North Wales, this time citing a Conservative MP, judges and bankers amongst the long list of abusers, this timely debate is sure to be thought-provoking, and we will look forward to joining in and reading what others have to say on the matter.”
Therefore, in today’s debate we wish to explore some of the following questions:
How serious is the spread and extent of child abuse today?
What are the systems for detection of child abuse?
What are some of the dynamics involved in child abuse (e.g. wealth, power, social exclusion, etc.)?
What does Savile case represent? Is it a sign of “moral” failure? Is it a social failure? or is it simply a failure of the police?
What does Savile’s case say about our judiciary and reform systems?
What does Savile’s case mean for question of social justice and public trust?
Join us today @SWSCmedia 8:00 PM GMT / 3:00 PM EST to share your views and explore these and other relevant question. In particular: What can we learn from Savile’s case? and What does it say about inequality, vulnerability, social justice, and trust in our society.
For other time zones please see this link.
