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Steven King e-mail: [email protected]
18 May 2017
Dear Mr King,
Freedom of Information Request - RFI20170568
Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) dated 17 April, seeking the following information:
‘I wish to be provided here on whatdotheyknow website , the full policies and procedures that are now in place to protect ' vulnerable adults ' taking part in your radio and television programmes from being subjected to ANY forms of abuse that come under 'Adult Safeguarding '. I wish to know what assistance and support the BBC offers and vulnerable member of the public who has suffered any form of abuse and/or feels harmed following their participation in one of your programmes.
In light of the Sir Jimmy Savile OBE KCSG allegations and findings, mainly following his death, I wish to see the reports prepared by and for the BBC into the investigations that were carried out, to include the lessons learned and any explanations or apologies made by senior officials of the BBC at the time, including any cover ups that were found ?
I wish to see the guidance/policies/procedures that were put in place at that time to ensure abuse of people appearing in BBC programmes are to be protected from any risks or actual abuse of them, along with those specific documents that remain in place now - please show the dates these documents have been updated so as to comply with current Legislation and best practice in the field of Safeguarding.
Please also show me documents to identify how your staff working at BBC Wiltshire Radio are trained so as to comply with Legislation and your own Policies and Procedures in respect of abuse and safeguarding, and if they become aware that a vulnerable person / persons taking part in one of their programmes is subjected to any form of abuse - what are the individual staff members duties and responsibilities ? It would help me to better understand.
YES – I believe I have been abused by someone who took part in a BBC Wiltshire radio broadcast and ask for your professional help please?’
BBC Reviews and Investigations The BBC was appalled by the allegations that came to light about Jimmy Savile and others and therefore the BBC announced a number of reviews and enquiries to investigate and to identify any lessons to be learnt so to prevent inappropriate sexual conduct in the future. The BBC Trust published the full report by Dame Janet Smith DBE of her inquiry into the BBC’s culture and practices during the Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hall years. The report is available at the following link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/dame_janet_smith
The Review was established in October 2012 to conduct an impartial, thorough and independent review of the culture and practices of the BBC during the years that Jimmy Savile worked there. A further investigation, into the conduct of Stuart Hall, was undertaken by Dame Linda Dobbs DBE, and is published as part of the report.
Both the Director General and the Chair of the BBC Trust made speeches on the day of publication of the Dame Janet Smith Report which can be located at the following link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/statements/tony-hall-dame-janet-smith and http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/news/statements/dame_janet_smith .
Further, the BBC launched a series of reviews to understand the issues and to see what lessons could be learned. The Respect at Work Report published in May 2013 looks at the BBC’s policies and processes in relation to sexual harassment and can be found at the following link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/abouthtebbc/insidethebbc/howwework/reports/respectatwork.html
The BBC also instructed the GoodCorporation to undertake an independent review of the BBC’s child protection and whistleblowing policies and practices. The overall conclusions of the GoodCorporation were positive and no serious weaknesses are raised in the report. Since publication the BBC has been acting on the review’s recommendations and their progress is noted in the BBC’s response to Dame Smith Review dated December 2016 as noted below. The GoodCorporation’s review was published by the BBC in 2015 at the following link: http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/insidethebbc/howwework/reports/pdf/goodcorporation_b bc_whistleblowing_childprotectionpolicies_processes.pdf
The BBC published a progress report in July 2016 to set out what had been achieved by that date. The report is available at the following link: http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/insidethebbc/reports/pdf/bbc_progressreport_damejanets mith_july2016.pdf
In December 2016 the BBC published its final response to address the recommendations made across the range of external reviews and reports. In addition, the BBC also published a further external review and audit of the BBC’s policies and processes undertaken by the GoodCorporation that reported on the progress made since 2015. Both the final report and external review are available at the following link: http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/insidethebbc/reports/pdf/bbc_djs_review_report_decemb er_2016.pdf and
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/insidethebbc/reports/pdf/bbc_goodreport_review_decem ber_2016.pdf
BBC Current Policies and Practices
The BBC publishes its Editorial Guidelines ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines ) which includes details regarding the safety and welfare of people contributing to BBC programmes. http://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidelines/fairness/safety-and-welfare and there is specific guidance on working with vulnerable contributors at the following link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidance/vulnerable-contributors/guidance-full
The BBC has a number of policies and practices in place to ensure the welfare and protection of children, whether they are contributors to content, actors or performers, spectators at shows and events, and visitors to our buildings. More information can be found at the following link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/insidethebbc/howwework/policiesandguidelines/child_protectio n.html
You have asked what help can be given by the BBC as you say you have been abused following participation in a programme; we are sorry and concerned to hear that. You have not described the nature of the incident but if you wish to call BBC Investigation Services on 0207 765 5976, they can assist in directing your concerns to the appropriate part of the BBC. For example if your complaint relates to the way you were treated as a contributor to a BBC programme, BBC Investigation Services could refer you to the BBC complaints process However, depending on the nature of the incident it may be appropriate to refer this matter to the police which you are, of course, able to do at any time.
Appeal Rights
If you are not satisfied that we have complied with the Act in responding to your request, you have the right to an internal review by a BBC senior manager or legal adviser. Please contact us at the address above, explaining what you would like us to review and including your reference number. If you are not satisfied with the internal review, you can appeal to the Information Commissioner. The contact details are: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF, Tel: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545 745 (national rate) or see http://www.ico.gov.uk/.
Yours sincerely
Information Rights