Parents experiencing guilt over Savile abuse

Jimmy Savile's victims also include parents, friends and health professional traumatised by guilt about exposing children to a serial abuser in what should have been the safest of environments, a charity has said.

Victim Support said it has been helping Savile's direct victims but also those closest to them, who are often troubled by the thought that they were duped by the broadcaster's celebrity status.

"There are other people, friends and family members who are victims in this as well and are going through a number of feelings," said Lesley McLean, the charity's divisional manager for West Yorkshire.**

Mrs McLean added the scale of Savile's abuse is unprecedented but the publicity surrounding his crimes has led to a shift in people's attitude to reporting abuse.

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Mrs McLean said Victim Support has had a close involvement into the inquiry into Savile's activities at Leeds General Infirmary.

She said the charity had a representative on the oversight panel to make sure victims were central to everything the inquiry did. And, she said, a specially trained team of volunteers provided support to those who came forward.

"I think they (victims) feel that having us on board and working alongside them has actually made it slightly easier, hopefully, for victims who are having to go through this additional trauma," she said.

Ms McLean said: "He was a huge celebrity for decades and particularly well known in Leeds.

"He was known for working with children and for supporting charities. So for a child to try and make an allegation against somebody that is seen as so big in the local community, it's very, very difficult."

She said: "I've worked around the field of rape and sexual assault for the last 25 years. I've certainly never experienced anything like this. It was like a dam bursting, something came out and then, suddenly, there was so much more coming out. And so many other celebrities being accused as well."