Jill Saward
Encyclopedia
Jill Saward is best known as the victim of the 1986 Ealing
Vicarage Rape
, a crime that scandalized the UK and led indirectly to changes in the law. She was educated at Lady Margaret School
. Her father, Rev Michael Saward
, became vicar of St Mary's, Ealing, in 1978.
with Jenni Murray
.
in the Haltemprice and Howden by-election
, which she did. She criticised Davis for "saying nothing at all" about sexual violence issues while serving as Shadow Home Secretary; and stated that the DNA Database
should be extended to help detection of sexual assault, and that there was a disparity between the "thousands" of people affected by sexual assault each year, compared to the detention proposals of the Counter-Terrorism Bill
which "may not affect anyone at all".
Ealing
Ealing is a suburban area of west London, England and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Ealing. It is located west of Charing Cross and around from the City of London. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically a rural village...
Vicarage Rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
, a crime that scandalized the UK and led indirectly to changes in the law. She was educated at Lady Margaret School
Lady Margaret School
Lady Margaret School is a smaller than average all-girls' Voluntary Aided Church of England secondary school in Parsons Green, Fulham, London. It was awarded specialist school status as a Mathematics & Computing College in September 2003.-History:...
. Her father, Rev Michael Saward
Michael Saward
Michael Saward is an Anglican priest and hymnist.Saward was born in Blackheath, south-east London, grew up in Petts Wood, was educated at Eltham College, and became a practising Christian in 1946. For his National Service, he served as a subaltern in the Royal West African Frontier Force in Accra,...
, became vicar of St Mary's, Ealing, in 1978.
Ealing Vicarage Rape
Saward hit the headlines on 6 March 1986 when a gang of burglars broke into her home at lunchtime. Her father and boyfriend received fractured skulls and she was raped. The incident received considerable international media coverage because her home was the Ealing Vicarage - her father was the Vicar of Ealing and the attack was soon labeled by the media as The Ealing Vicarage Rape Attack.Legal controversy
Saward's case received further notoriety when the judge gave those responsible longer sentences for the burglary than for the rape. The judge caused controversy when he said "the trauma suffered by the victim was not so very great". Upon his retirement the judge, Mr Justice Leonard, publicly apologised for what he called the "one great blemish" on his career.Rape: My Story
In 1990, with the help of friend Wendy Green, Saward wrote a book about her experiences, called: "Rape: My Story". At the same time she recorded an Everyman programme for the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
with Jenni Murray
Jenni Murray
Dame Jennifer Susan "Jenni" Murray, DBE is a British journalist and broadcaster. She attended Barnsley Girls High School and has a degree in French and Drama from Hull University...
.
Campaigning work
Since 1990 Saward has worked in various guises to support victims of rape and sexual violence. She is involved in personal support of victims and training police officers. She writes for national newspapers, is a broadcaster and campaigns for changes to the way rape victims are treated by the police and legal system.Politics
On 24 June 2008, Saward stated in an article on her website that she was considering standing as a candidate against David DavisDavid Davis (British politician)
David Michael Davis is a British Conservative Party politician who is the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Haltemprice and Howden...
in the Haltemprice and Howden by-election
Haltemprice and Howden by-election, 2008
The 2008 Haltemprice and Howden by-election was a by-election held in the United Kingdom on 10 July 2008 to elect a new Member of Parliament for constituency of Haltemprice and Howden...
, which she did. She criticised Davis for "saying nothing at all" about sexual violence issues while serving as Shadow Home Secretary; and stated that the DNA Database
UK National DNA Database
The United Kingdom National DNA Database is a national DNA Database that was set up in 1995. As of the end of 2005, it carried the profiles of around 3.1 million people...
should be extended to help detection of sexual assault, and that there was a disparity between the "thousands" of people affected by sexual assault each year, compared to the detention proposals of the Counter-Terrorism Bill
Counter-Terrorism Bill 2008
The Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which increased police powers for the stated purpose of countering terrorism...
which "may not affect anyone at all".
See also
- Types of rapeTypes of rapeRape can be categorized in different ways: for example, by reference to the situation in which it occurs, by the identity or characteristics of the victim, and/or by the identity or characteristics of the perpetrator...
- Date rapeDate rape"Date rape", often referred to as acquaintance rape, is an assault or attempted assault usually committed by a new acquaintance involving sexual intercourse without mutual consent....
- Effects of rape and aftermathEffects of rape and aftermathEffects and aftermath of rape can include both physical trauma and psychological trauma. However, physical force is not necessarily used in rape, and physical injuries are not always a consequence. Deaths associated with rape are known to occur, though the prevalence of fatalities varies...
- Laws about rapeLaws about rapeRape is a type of sexual assault initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by force, under threat, or with a person who is incapable of valid consent...