Victim Zero: Jimmy Savile tried to ruin my life. I was the first victim to fight back.

by Kat Ward

Kat Ward was the first victim to speak out about the abuse she suffered at the hands of Jimmy Savile. Her shocking testimony was the catalyst for the uncovering of decades of abuse and cover-ups.Kat Ward's childhood was marked by physical, emotional and sexual abuse. She was eventually taken into local authority care to a children's home in Norfolk, and first encountered Savile whilst on a 'holiday' with the home on Jersey. Later, she was moved to Duncroft Approved School in Surrey, a secure unit. Amazingly, Savile turned up there too; he would regularly drive up in his Rolls-Royce and offer sweets and cigarettes in return for sexual favours.Kat's revelations had already appeared in a memoir she'd placed online using Savile's initials, but she first spoke on camera as part of Newsnight's infamous shelved Savile exposé. However, it was ITV's The Other Side of Jimmy Savile (in which Kat did not take part), that led to his unmasking as a serial sex offender and opened the floodgates for hundreds of other victims to come forward, and for many other offenders to be unmasked. Freddie Starr brought a High Court case against her for libel and slander, seeking £300,000 in damages, calling her 'liar' and 'nutter'. It failed spectacularly in July 2015, with costs awarded against him.Although the last few years have been trying, they have ultimately brought Kat vindication after years of being labelled an attention-seeker and liar. Her book, which charts her life from the 1960s to the end of Starr's failed action, is a unique, harrowing and immensely moving perspective on one of the biggest news stories of the last decade.

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2016

Reviews

[Shiv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat Ward’s incredible story continues

Having read 1-7 of Kat Ward’s compelling autobiography whilst awaiting the 8th and more - this book was an insight into yet another one of the authors challenges in her life. Kat Ward’s life story shows a lot of vulnerability and healing. I’d highly recommend reading any of her books.

[Simon Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very illuminating read about historical sexual offences perpetrated by two celebrities on the author in years gone by. If this wasn't vile enough it also shows how care homes for young girls were also used as some kind of environs for such abuse to take place. I was well and truly shocked.

The book also sheds light on what is all too common for children and that is when one child is treated as a 'scapegoat' by an abusive parent which then sets into place the child feeling like this kind of treatment is acceptable and even deserved. Self fulfilling prophecy then makes sure that others treat the child and later teen the same as their abusive, bullying and violent parent. This is horrific and no child should have to go through this.

But the book also shows that bullies of all shapes and sizes should be stood up to with passages interspersed throughout the book of Ward's courtroom battle against the celebrity 'F' who denies that he goosed and humiliated her in the 70's. He lost, she won. Her voice was validated. Karma.

[D C GRIMSDELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Court Case against 'F'

I have read Kat Ward's autobiography, parts 1-7, of her childhood and early adulthood, and being really shocked and horrified by the beatings her awful mother imposed upon her, even when she was entering adulthood; the physical assaults including many rapes her step-dad did to her; the time her step-dad 'lent' her to a friend of his, who first of all got the girl drunk, before viciously raping her; and much else besides.

Included in the books of her childhood, were the times she and some other girls were befriended and groomed by the dj Jimmy Savile, who of course after his death was found to be one of the country's biggest paedophiles, having sexually assaulted many teenage and prepubescent girls.

When relating the parts about Jimmy Savile, she names someone else as 'F', who also committed lewd acts against young girls. But 'F' was incensed by the accusations and sued Kat Ward - this book is about that court case.

As you would expect, this book will not be to everyone's taste and some of it is difficult to read, but Kat was one of the first people to raise awareness of the sexual assaults by Savile and is prepared to go to certain lengths to get 'F' identified as another paedophile too.

I would like another autobiography by Kat Ward, to tell us what happened between the end of Kari 7 to this account of the court case. At the end of Kari 7, she had a young daughter, plus another son and 2 daughters who were in care, but this book makes no mention of any of them and instead talks about 3 sons, so I am interested to know what happened in between.

[karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written as always

Freddie Starr headline act in large northern clubs in the 70s . Often appearing on the Saturday evening light entertainment TV shows . Well known for his antics on stage which went sometimes controversially too far....Was it Freddie that swallowed a goldfish ? Regularly featured in the Sunday papers due to some story written by an ex wife I think it is fair to say that Freddie had a colourful life . I can only assume that Freddie was fearful of being linked to have been involved in Jimmy Saviles pedophile activities and tried to clear his name . For a man of his generation to be associated with a liking for young girls was one of the most unpalatable things that could ever be said of a man . I believe even a man that often behaved in a crude and vulgar manner as Freddie drew the line at being associated with Saviles antics .He behaved badly that evening playing the big star and was no doubt crudely showing off to a group of teenage girls who he no doubt thought were in awe of him . The case against Kat was ridiculous . I think it was Freddie Starr distancing himself from Jimmy Saviles behaviour.

[Kelly Carnahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Kat Ward winner

I’ve read everything that Kat Ward has written about her life, so it was wonderful to finally able to read a book where she came out on top! I’ve often cried, had my jaw drop to the floor and been incredibly angry for her when she couldn’t be. I honestly hope this is not the last book Kat writes about her incredible and unbelievably sad life. I hope you the reader will love her as much as I do!

[Gelda Koran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent just excellent. My thoughts go out to this very strong lady. Hope she can now live her days with peace.

Brilliant loved this from the start of all her books to reading this. She stays in my mind. Very sad life this ladys had. I wish her well.

[Elizabeth Oddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant, yet heartbreaking book.