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Brave and compassionate campaigner Jill Saward dies

34 replies

woman12345 · 05/01/2017 16:20

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jan/05/jill-saward-campaigner-ealing-vicarage-rape-dies-at-51

A survivor who went on to help many other survivors. After her attack in 1986, and at the Old Bailey trial the following year, the judge, Sir John Leonard, caused an outcry when sentencing the men. He told Saward’s assailants: “Because I have been told the trauma suffered by the victim was not so great … I shall take a lenient course with you.”

Leonard, who later regretted his comment, handed down longer sentences for burglary than for rape. The case contributed to a change in the law allowing prosecutors to appeal for longer sentences.

She forgave her attackers, was a campaigner, counsellor and helped many others who had been raped.

Compassionate condolences to her family.

OP posts:
Ginorchoc · 05/01/2017 16:56

Amazing woman I've got her book and it's a tough honest read. Such a strong admirable lady.

Blondie79 · 05/01/2017 16:55

My husband was a friend of hers (they met after the horrific attack) and he has kept in touch fleetingly through Facebook after they both moved away from the area where they originally met. He has always spoken of her in such glowing terms and of how much admiration he had for her and her dedication to helping others. I never had the privilege of meeting her but I am glad (and I'm certain my DH will be) that someone has felt that she should be thought of and spoken about on Mumsnet today.

Original poster
woman12345 · 05/01/2017 16:50

Not many would have heard of her, and herstory isn't taught in many schools, thought it was important to commemorate.

Mumsnet HQ, maybe you could run a piece on her?

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OutDamnedWind · 05/01/2017 16:43

I remember hearing her speak on a programme, or maybe an interview, when I was younger and it very much stuck with me. Very sad, and so young.

PoochSmooch · 05/01/2017 16:40

51, goodness, that's young. So terribly sad.

Thank you Jill, for your bravery and for all of your work.

scallopsrgreat · 05/01/2017 16:37

Just heard this. Very sad. She was an amazing woman.

Too young.

derxa · 05/01/2017 16:35

What a brave woman. She could have just as easily hidden away and done nothing.

BarbarianMum · 05/01/2017 16:32

I was just coming here specifically to start a thread about this. So glad I'm not the only one who thinks her passing merits a mention here - she was a brave woman whose treatment by the courts and subsequent campaigning did a great deal to highlight the plight of rape victims at the hands of our "justice" system and to improve matters.

The Ealing rape case was the first time I became aware of how badly rape victims were treated by the legal system. Sir John Leonard was an arsehole.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 05/01/2017 16:26

I don't recall shedding a tear when reading any of the celebity obituaries in 2016 but I'm wiping away tears now.