Over 40 UK music industry professionals investigated for child sex abuse
43 music industry professionals in the UK are being investigated following the child abuse sex scandal involving 85-year-old Australian entertainer Rolf Harris.
The figure was revealed by the UK’s National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) last week (May 20) in a press release detailing child abuse investigation unit Operation Hydrant. Operation Hydrant was established in August 2014 by Chief Constable Simon Bailey to receive reports of non-recent child sexual abuse within institutions or by people of public prominence.
Since its launch, police forces have notified Operation Hydrant of 261 individuals who are classed as ‘people of public prominence’. The group has been broken down into the following groups:
– 135 come from the world of TV, film or radio
– 76 are listed as politicians – it should be noted that these include local-level politicians, not just national figures
– 43 are from the music industry
– 7 are from the world of sport
Overall the NPCC is investigating 1,433 individually identified alleged offenders and have projected it will investigate 113,291 cases in 2015 alone. The number of cases to be investigated in he UK this year has risen 71% from the 66,120 total cases in 2012.
Norfolk Chief Constable Simon Bailey said: “Much public and media focus has been on horrors committed by well-known personalities, groups, gangs or in institutions, but the vast majority of victims are abused by family members or friends […] I would encourage all victims of sexual abuse to come forward and report their abuse.”
Rolf Harris, who is widely known for his Top 10 ARIA song Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport, was charged with 13 child sex offences in August last year.
Harris is serving a five year and nine month prison sentence following conviction of 12 counts of indecent assault against women aged between eight-years-old and 19. This month it was reported that 20 more women have contacted Sydney-based firm Slater and Gordon Lawyers with sexual abuse accusations.
Harris has been stripped of his Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) award, his Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) award and his ARIA Hall of Fame induction.