Jimmy Savile

Wasn't All Your Own presented by Huw Wheldon? I don't think Uncle Mac ever appeared on TV - he had 'a face for radio'.

I wasn't sure about that, jingle. And as you say, mistakes can be easily made - and that's why it's so terribly important for the real truth to be outed - carefully and properly.
Uncle Mac was on the radio! Was it a Saturday morning?

Yes, Marelli. Children's Favourites.

Thanks, merlot!

John Simpson should come out and say categorically who his "Uncle Dick" was in his book.

He hasn't, has he?

I think Uncle Mac was the main presenter of Children's Hour on the Radio which I seem to remember was on daily at 5 pm. Not an avid fan myself but some of my friends were.

And he was one of the voices of Children's Hour - ending up with 'Goodnight Children - everywhere'.

Take a look at how the issue of child protection is being addressed in parliament. I wonder why we don't trust our MPs?

https://mobile.twitter.com/cocobelle79/status/268374314951254016/photo/1

That says it all.

That picture shows their interest doesn't it

Beyond words

I find it quite incredible, how many of our claimants say they have been abused as a child!
I agree I'm seeing a disadvantaged portion of the population,but I do wonder?
I don't dispute their ascertations.
But!!

Thank you for the link, Mice. It makes very depressing reading. He makes a very good point about the 1960s and the total confusion about sexual freedom.

jeni, it's strange you should say that - just today I was thinking that the number of DD's friends and acquaintances who make such claims is increasing by the day.

It's not just the disadvantaged jeni. It seems that every time someone gets in a bit of bother or thinks their profile needs a bit of a boost they blame it on their abusive mother/father/uncle/next door neighbour. Even Nigella Lawson is now saying that her mother hated and beat her.

It must be very hard to sort out the genuine cases.

Some anonymous research has been done in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Nederlands, some Scandinavian countries, and some smaller countries over the course of the last 40 or so years, to try to gauge the incidence of child sexual abuse. Simple questionnaires asked for responses about the amount of sexual abuse experienced. The results tend to be consistent over time. It is generally accepted that 1 in 6 people have been sexually abused as children, and that ranges from hands-off offences like being exposed to, to rape and attempted murder with a sexual element. Given the trauma that is experienced, and the way many people try to cope with depression, and other conditions arising from substance abuse and self-harm, it's no wonder that many of these people need additional public health services, and will show up seeking help from the authorities.

From my own experience working in mental health, I would say that almost everyone I come across who has been diagnosed with a personality disorder has been sexually abused in childhood. I can't claim to be able to prove the link statistically but it does appear to me to be a very strong one. Raises all kinds of questions about what a personality disorder really is. Other than overdiagnosed and a not terribly helpful but very stigmatising label (in my view anyway).

That's been my experience, too nightowl. Much violence, too, but it's the insidious nature of sexual abuse that messes personalities up.

Did you find it was prevalent amongst offenders when? That is to say a history of sexual abuse and a diagnosis of personality disorder (I should imagine that was very common). Either one or both together. Obviously I was working with a different group of people and I am interested to know about your experience.

Yes, nightowl and in the last few years I worked with women in prison and probation hostels, so got to know their stories in depth. So many reports calling them personality-disordered. Over 90% had been sexually abused and 100% had mental health problems. Most were substance abusers, most separated from their children and deserted by partners. Most willing to engage in prostitution because they couldn't see what else they might be able to do. Sadly, so many researchers wanting to study and quiz them, which added to their problems, so I put a block on researchers unless we were going to benefit directly from their research. We never did!

Just caught up! What a mess!
Thanks for the link MiceElf, it made interesting, if depressing reading. My parents would have been horrified to think that someone like 'Uncle Mac', whom they thought was wonderful, could have been so devious. They were duped!
I suppose, as the article implies, the cult of personality protected such men, as did knowing one's place.
My parents, living well away from any large town, viewed such people as being from a different, and far superior world, than theirs. They were of the generation who 'doffed their hats' to them, even idolised them, certainly would have considered them totally incapable of any wrong.
Part of me is glad that their (my parents') illusions were never shattered, by the recent revelations, but mostly I am angry that such men were able to follow their base instincts with impunity.
Like other posters, I wonder how we will get out of this mess.
Above all, though, I want justice for the victims. and

Abuse was not confined to catholic priests - now a C of E Bishop has been arrested and it appears he is not alone.

For someone who has been abused breaking the silence of abuse is a vital step toward healing, having the courage to tell what has happened allows you to break free from your abuser. So for anyone to say they have been abused falsely as a reason for their behaviour is disgraceful.

Cyril Smith has been named on the lunchtime news.