Sexual abuse is
in the news again today. Hardly a day goes by without a discussion about historic sexual abuse. A leaked draft of a report into cases of sexual abuse by Jimmy Savile linked to the BBC is set to criticise the corporation’s culture. The culture within the BBC has been described as a ‘deferential culture.’ Deference to stars and celebrities. Jimmy Saville was one of the ‘untouchables.’ Because of his celebrity status, the aura surrounding him nobody would speak out. People were afraid to speak out. They didn’t want to spoil the show and the charitable work he was doing. He had a certain reverence and enormous respect and no one could crush that.
This deferential culture can be seen in many institutions: the Scouting Movement, the Church, schools and even in the home. In any institution there is a hierarchical structure. People fear for their jobs, they fear they won’t be believed if they speak out. Those in authority cannot be challenged because of who they are, what they represent, from the priest to the stern dad it is easier to stay quiet.
My book ‘The Catholic Woman’s Dying’ is about a man, now middle aged looking back to the terrors of his past. He was abused by the family priest and has never spoken of it to a soul until he reveals all to his girlfriend Faye. How has the abuse affected him? Why has he never spoken of it? Why didn’t he report it? Why doesn’t he report it years later? Several readers have commented that I deal with the tough issue of child abuse in a very sensitive, yet also humorous way and that they could get right into his mindset and see how the past was affecting his present life and in particular his sex life.
Sadly sexual abuse will always happen. We can put measures into places, we can change the culture within institutions but we will never get rid of deference to those in power. Power means control and those in power, it seems can do what the hell they like because of the hold they have over those lower down the pecking order. After all no one wants to lose their job if they snitch, or be denied treats, or outgoings or whatever it is those in power can provide.
Here is a link to my book: