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Jill Saward, Advocate for Victims of Sexual Assault, Dies at 51 Jill Saward, Advocate for Victims of Sexual Assault, Dies at 51
(about 1 hour later)
LONDON — Jill Saward, a British rape victim who waived her right to anonymity and called on other victims of sexual assault to come forward about their ordeal, died on Thursday in Wolverhampton, England. She was 51.LONDON — Jill Saward, a British rape victim who waived her right to anonymity and called on other victims of sexual assault to come forward about their ordeal, died on Thursday in Wolverhampton, England. She was 51.
The cause was a subarachnoid hemorrhage, her family said in a statement.The cause was a subarachnoid hemorrhage, her family said in a statement.
Ms. Saward was 21 when members of an armed gang broke into the West London vicarage used by her father, an Anglican priest, and the family. Attackers dragged her upstairs and repeatedly raped her, while another man burgled the house. Her father and her boyfriend were severely beaten. Ms. Saward was 21 when members of an armed gang broke into the West London vicarage used by her father, an Anglican priest, and her family. Attackers dragged her upstairs and repeatedly raped her, while another man burglarized the house. Her father and her boyfriend were severely beaten.
Although the rapists were convicted, the case drew criticism after they received substantially shorter prison sentences than the man who had carried out the burglary.Although the rapists were convicted, the case drew criticism after they received substantially shorter prison sentences than the man who had carried out the burglary.
John Leonard, the judge who sentenced the men, was quoted as saying that the rapists should be shown leniency because “the trauma suffered by the victim was not so great,” according to news accounts at the time. He later expressed regret for the comment.John Leonard, the judge who sentenced the men, was quoted as saying that the rapists should be shown leniency because “the trauma suffered by the victim was not so great,” according to news accounts at the time. He later expressed regret for the comment.
There was also public criticism of the way the news media covered the trial, publishing details that allowed Ms. Saward to be identified easily.There was also public criticism of the way the news media covered the trial, publishing details that allowed Ms. Saward to be identified easily.
Ms. Saward’s case led to changes in attitudes toward rape victims and important legal overhauls. Victims of sexual assault were given the right to appeal lenient sentences given to their attackers, and the news media was blocked from identifying a rape victim before a defendant was charged. Ms. Saward’s case led to changes in attitudes toward rape victims and important legal overhauls in Britain. Victims of sexual assault were given the right to appeal lenient sentences given to their attackers, and the news media was blocked from identifying a rape victim before a defendant was charged.
In 1990, Ms. Saward became the first person in Britain to waive her right to anonymity as a victim of rape. With Wendy Green, she wrote a book, “Rape: My Story,” in which she spoke openly about her trauma, how it had led to suicidal thoughts and how she had overcome them.In 1990, Ms. Saward became the first person in Britain to waive her right to anonymity as a victim of rape. With Wendy Green, she wrote a book, “Rape: My Story,” in which she spoke openly about her trauma, how it had led to suicidal thoughts and how she had overcome them.
“I believe forgiveness gives you freedom,” she wrote. “Freedom to move on without being held back by the past.”“I believe forgiveness gives you freedom,” she wrote. “Freedom to move on without being held back by the past.”
Ms. Saward went on to give training to judges and police officers on how to treat rape victims.Ms. Saward went on to give training to judges and police officers on how to treat rape victims.
In 2013, new guidelines were published on how sex offenders in England and Wales would be punished, placing greater emphasis on treatment of victims, which has been a crucial part of Ms. Saward’s campaign. In 2013, new guidelines were published on how sex offenders in England and Wales would be punished, placing greater emphasis on treatment of victims, which had been a crucial part of Ms. Saward’s campaign.
Reacting to the news, Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, called Ms. Saward a “heroic and remarkable campaigner for the victims of rape.”Reacting to the news, Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, called Ms. Saward a “heroic and remarkable campaigner for the victims of rape.”
Born in Liverpool, England, on Jan. 14, 1965, Ms. Saward is survived by her husband, Gavin Drake; three sons; and a brother, Joe. She was born in Liverpool, England, on Jan. 14, 1965. She is survived by her husband, Gavin Drake; three sons; and a brother, Joe.
Her family noted that she had said she wanted to be an organ donor after death, adding, “It gives us great comfort to know that our wonderful wife, mother and sister was able to help other people to the very end.” Ms. Saward wanted to be an organ donor after death, her family said, adding, “It gives us great comfort to know that our wonderful wife, mother and sister was able to help other people to the very end.”