Are we all to blame? Does our unwillingness to cause 'outrage' result in child abuse?

In the early 1990s, allegations of the abuse in almost 40 childrens' homes in Wales started to surface and in March 1994 Clwyd County Council commissioned an independent inquiry into claims of widespread abuse across north Wales.

          But the inquiry's report was never published and the copies were pulped to ensure the local authority was able to maintain its insurance cover.

          BBC New Wales 5.11.12

I heard the above story as I was driving home. I was struck by the concealment of abuse in order to maintain insurance cover.

          It is also alleged there was a cover up to protect the Establishment.  There have been similar suggestions that Jimmy Saville was protected because of his position. What was the BBC doing running tributes for a man who was the subject of so much rumour and who was being investigated by News Night for child abuse?
          We should not be surprised if a cover up for the benefit of certain parts of the Establishment is found in the new Welsh enquiry or at the BBC.
          The BBC having allowed Jim to Fix It for so many children had a problem in acknowledging he had his own way of 'fixing children'  How embarrassing for such an august body if that came out.'
          Once you get on the back of the Tiger it can be very hard to get off.
          Protection of its reputation and authority were the prime motivating factors behind the Catholic Church's concealment of child abuse.
          It's been said that the Nazi's couldn't have done what they did without at least the tactic consent of the majority of the German people. For evil to succeed it only needs good men to stay silent.
          We live in a society which observes the pecking order. Those in positions of authority are given respect.
          It can be argued that with out a chain of command there would be chaos. If we have no respect or regard for those in authority there would be anarchy. But how far should that regard and respect go? To what extent should we question and hold to account our 'elders and betters?'
          Who questioned the pulping of the Welsh report? Why did junior members of the BBC and others find themselves powerless when it came to voicing there concerns over Jimmy Saville? Why did those with authority say and do nothing?
          Is it because we live in a culture of silence where each must know his place and protect his position?
          In all these cases people sat on information. This was done either to protect others or more insidiously to protect their own position. Nobody wanted to 'rock the boat'  We live in a society where such actions are frowned upon.
          Such behaviour is perhaps not to be blamed. As a society we are herd animals. We seek consensus and want to get on with our friends and colleagues.  To succeed in a business most of us follow the corporate culture. As a result we are reluctant to take action that is regarded as reckless or irresponsible. We are most of us conservative with a small 'c ' in our outlook and attitudes.
          Our children see how we behave and follow our teaching.  No one wants to be seen as an outsider. Those who are different and show it can tread a lonely path. Often regarded as arrogant, or freaks, or both. In the land of the blind the one eyed man is a pain in the arse.
          Because of our reluctance to 'make waves' bad things can happen.
          So when I ask are we all to blame for North Wales, Jimmy Saville etc I think to some extent we are.
           The late, great, Irish comic, Dave Allen said "I don't go out of my way to be outrageous, I just go out of my way to look at things."
          If we all looked a little more and were willing to provoke a little outrage, we might live in a far better society.