Dame Janet Smith Review
On 11 October 2012, Dame Janet Smith was appointed by the BBC to lead an inquiry into the corporation's connection to the sexual abuse committed by Jimmy Savile.[1] The final report, titled The Dame Janet Smith Review Report, was published on 25 February 2016.[2]
In her investigation, Smith called for evidence from people who were the subject of inappropriate sexual conduct by Jimmy Savile on BBC premises, or on location for the BBC; people who knew of or suspected such conduct; anyone who raised concerns about Savile's conduct within the BBC; people who worked for or with Savile on programmes at the BBC between about 1964 and 2007, or who were familiar with "the culture or practices of the BBC during that time insofar as they may have been relevant to preventing or enabling the sexual abuse of children, young people or teenagers"; and people who held senior positions at the BBC who may have relevant information.[3][4]
The investigation was delayed when Dame Janet Smith was contacted by the Metropolitan Police regarding their investigations into offences against children.[2]
Summary
In her report, Smith addressed the following questions:[2]
- Did Savile commit acts of inappropriate sexual conduct in connection with his work for the BBC?
- Were any concerns raised within the BBC whether formally or informally about Savile’s inappropriate sexual conduct?
- To what extent were BBC personnel aware of inappropriate sexual conduct by Savile in connection with his work for the BBC?
- To what extent ought BBC personnel to have been aware of inappropriate sexual conduct by Savile in connection with his work for the BBC?
- Did the culture and practices within the BBC during the years of Savile’s employment enable Savile’s inappropriate sexual conduct to continue unchecked?
She then provided a number of recommendations for reform of the BBC's internal processes based on her investigation.
References
- ↑ "Jimmy Savile scandal: BBC announces inquiry heads". Retrieved 16 October 2012.
- 1 2 3 Smith, Janet (2016). "The Dame Janet Smith Review" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ↑ "Appeal for witnesses – Jimmy Savile". The Dame Janet Smith Review. November 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
- ↑ "Jimmy Savile scandal: Dame Janet Smith seeks witnesses". BBC News. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.