The media coverage doesn't help, many people believe what they read in the papers,or online, especially when it suits them. The anonymity which is afforded the victims, is not granted to the accused which inevitably sways peoples opinions, as they really only hear one side of the story, Once people have made up their minds they are generally reluctant to change their opinion.
Sir cliff and Kevin Spacey have been fortunate to have been able to clear their names, but there will always be a lot of people who secretly consider them to have "got away with it" How many would be genuinely comfortable employing them as a child minder.
On the other hand and somewhat bizarrely Jimmy Saville suffered little damage to his reputation prior to his death, despite numerous allegations being made, why was it that he was able to garner such support , his "charity work" or his connections, which included members of the royal family