Publicity encouraged victims to speak out

A STRING of sex offenders may not have been brought to justice in recent years had the Sir Cliff Richard privacy ruling already been in place, experts have warned.

Victims in several high-profile cases came forward only when they learnt their attackers had been arrested for similar offences.

When Stuart Hall, the television and radio personality, was arrested by Lancashire Police in 2012, his lawyers criticised the press for naming him, but following publicity around his arrest, more victims came forward, strengthening the case against him.

He later admitted indecently assaulting 13 girls over 19 years.

The identification of Max Clifford as a child abuse suspect in 2012 also resulted in more victims coming forward.

After initially being arrested on suspicion of two offences, Clifford was charged with a further 11 counts and was eventually jailed for eight years. Campaigners have also made the point that had Jimmy Savile’s name been circulated when he was questioned by Surrey Police in 2009, his victims may have achieved justice before he died.

Peter Saunders, founder of the National Association of People Abused in Childhood, said: “It is always difficult for victims to come forward, but we know that they feel emboldened when they discover that the perpetrator is under suspicion for attacking others.

“It helps them feel less isolated and we have seen a number of cases successfully prosecuted in that way.”