This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/12/bbc-jimmy-savile-tony-hall-child-protection-complaints-whistleblowing

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
BBC has made 'significant progress' since Savile scandal, says Tony Hall BBC has made 'significant progress' since Savile scandal, says Tony Hall
(about 1 month later)
The BBC has made “significant progress” in addressing issues raised by the review into the corporation’s culture during the Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hall years, the BBC director general has said.The BBC has made “significant progress” in addressing issues raised by the review into the corporation’s culture during the Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hall years, the BBC director general has said.
Dame Janet Smith published her review into the culture and practices of the BBC in February, looking at the period when presenters Savile and Hall were employed and examining the corporation’s connection to the child sexual abuse by Savile.Dame Janet Smith published her review into the culture and practices of the BBC in February, looking at the period when presenters Savile and Hall were employed and examining the corporation’s connection to the child sexual abuse by Savile.
There were 40 grievances relating to bullying and harassment dealt with in the year to the end of March 2016, with four upheld and eight ongoing, the BBC said at the unveiling of its annual report on Tuesday.There were 40 grievances relating to bullying and harassment dealt with in the year to the end of March 2016, with four upheld and eight ongoing, the BBC said at the unveiling of its annual report on Tuesday.
Related: BBC chief stands by Cliff Richard coverage after singer launches lawsuit
There was one further case complaint made of sexual harassment.There was one further case complaint made of sexual harassment.
Tony Hall said on Tuesday: “We have made significant progress since 2012. Our child protection, complaints, whistleblowing and investigation processes are all sound – and we are doing even more to make sure all our staff are aware of them.”Tony Hall said on Tuesday: “We have made significant progress since 2012. Our child protection, complaints, whistleblowing and investigation processes are all sound – and we are doing even more to make sure all our staff are aware of them.”
He added: “Lessons will continue to be learned, processes improved and protections strengthened. That is the only way we truly can ensure we rebuild the trust and faith of those who we failed.”He added: “Lessons will continue to be learned, processes improved and protections strengthened. That is the only way we truly can ensure we rebuild the trust and faith of those who we failed.”
One area of focus has seen the BBC making dedicated whistleblowing channels available to employees.One area of focus has seen the BBC making dedicated whistleblowing channels available to employees.
Last year, 31 cases were treated as whistleblowing, up from 20 cases in 2014/2015. Fifteen of those cases were upheld and four are ongoing. However, a staff survey showed that only 55% of respondents knew of the BBC whistleblowing policy.Last year, 31 cases were treated as whistleblowing, up from 20 cases in 2014/2015. Fifteen of those cases were upheld and four are ongoing. However, a staff survey showed that only 55% of respondents knew of the BBC whistleblowing policy.
While 72% said they knew where to go to find information and support in case of bullying or harassment, just 47% felt they would be confident of any action having a fair outcome.While 72% said they knew where to go to find information and support in case of bullying or harassment, just 47% felt they would be confident of any action having a fair outcome.
However Bectu general secretary Gerry Morrissey said that a note of caution had to be sounded over the figures.However Bectu general secretary Gerry Morrissey said that a note of caution had to be sounded over the figures.
“We recognise that the BBC has done a lot but staff surveys show that for some there is still a lack of confidence in the processes,” he said.“We recognise that the BBC has done a lot but staff surveys show that for some there is still a lack of confidence in the processes,” he said.
“We should not assume that these are the number of people who feel they’ve got claims. There are a number of people on fixed term contracts now and if they are they may feel in less of a position to complain than someone on staff.”“We should not assume that these are the number of people who feel they’ve got claims. There are a number of people on fixed term contracts now and if they are they may feel in less of a position to complain than someone on staff.”
The BBC said it would not release any information about the disciplinary outcome for any cases involving bullying and harassment.The BBC said it would not release any information about the disciplinary outcome for any cases involving bullying and harassment.
New deputy director general Anne Bulford said: “These are, at heart, confidential processes, and what we haven’t done is publish a lot of data about what happens to complaints that are upheld ... What we have done is put out very full data about the numbers of complaints that we have received and the sources of them.New deputy director general Anne Bulford said: “These are, at heart, confidential processes, and what we haven’t done is publish a lot of data about what happens to complaints that are upheld ... What we have done is put out very full data about the numbers of complaints that we have received and the sources of them.
“We’re not aware of anyone else doing that and this is a very big step forward.”“We’re not aware of anyone else doing that and this is a very big step forward.”
An NSPCC spokesman said: “It is positive that the BBC is now taking the issue of child protection seriously; we would expect nothing less from a British flagship organisation that represents the UK around the globe.An NSPCC spokesman said: “It is positive that the BBC is now taking the issue of child protection seriously; we would expect nothing less from a British flagship organisation that represents the UK around the globe.
“There have been some very difficult moments in the organisation’s past when it comes to child abuse and, whilst whistleblowing is important, it’s only one piece of the jigsaw.“There have been some very difficult moments in the organisation’s past when it comes to child abuse and, whilst whistleblowing is important, it’s only one piece of the jigsaw.
“We need to ensure that the momentum continues and the NSPCC is working with them to help achieve this.”“We need to ensure that the momentum continues and the NSPCC is working with them to help achieve this.”
The BBC’s final response to Smith’s review will be published later in the year.The BBC’s final response to Smith’s review will be published later in the year.