Britain has disclosed that its police will be investigating an overwhelming amount of cases of sexual abuse allegedly done against children. Among these cases, 76 of the attackers are politicians and 260 others are "high profile individuals," according to The Guardian.
No personal details of the attackers were revealed, but it is alleged that pop star Gary Glitter, politcian Sir Cyril Smith and DJ star Jimmy Savile, are part of the list, along with individuals who are working in children's institutions like schools and orphanages as well as religious establishments, according to The Daily Beast.
Simon Bailey from the Operation Hydrant's Chief Officer said that the number of reports of child sex abuse have been increasing on a daily basis, prompting a review of unpunished cases dating back to 50 years ago.
Bailey warned that this is just the tip of the iceberg, as the number of victims could be over 100,000. He said that since 2012, child sexual abuses cases have gone up to 71 percent, or up to 116,000 reports. With Internet live-streaming and mobile use becoming more popular, the opportunity to prey on children has made it more challenging for law enforcers.
"What we are seeing is an absolutely unprecedented increase in the number of reports that are coming forward. That has brought about a step-change in the way the police service has had to deal with this. We are rising to and meeting the challenge, this is what Operation Hydrant is about," Bailey said, The Guardian reported.
"The government has allocated millions of pounds to provide additional support, but I am not sure that is going to be enough. We are talking about hundreds of thousands of victims," he added.
Bailey and his team are said to be working with Justice Goddard in the launching of this inquiry.
Meanwhile, The Daily Beast also reported that officials from child protection agencies have had obstacles in bringing these high profile people to court in the past, citing that some of the accused have used their influences to prevent investigations. In some cases, the victims themselves have withdrawn their claims because their attackers were rich and famous. But the investigation by Bailey and his team may change all that.
"This investigation is massive and a testimony to how the attitude to victims is changing-how those who have been victims have previously felt unable to come forward or have done so but not been believed, but now have confidence that they will be believed and listened," said Sheila Taylor, CEO of the National Working Group Network.
