Rolf Harris

Yes, I read that on the Sky website, sunseeker. No reason was given.

I heard on the radio that the CPS have decided not to proceed with a prosecution for having child porn on his computer! This is the first I have heard of this - was I hearing things or did anyone else hear it too?

Welcome Selina, it is a pity that you didnt take time to read the whole of this post before making your comment, for then you would see that most of the awful things that Rolf Harris did were not just merely an unsolicited kiss or a quick fumble, even though they too are unacceptable if unwanted. The jury heard details of fingers inside vaginas of very small children, do you suggest that they should just get over that? Would you tell your daughter or granddaughter to just put it behind them, it was only a bit of fun? We hear about the celebrity defendants because those are the cases reported in the press, look in any local paper, in any town and you will read of numerous cases, not rich celebrities, I dont think the accusers are after their pensions do you? It is because of the just get over it attitude that men like Harris were able to get away with what they did.

I am not comfortable about all these trials. They are all of 'celebrities' (i.e. presumed to be rich) and the accusations are always years old, and increasing as the attendant publicity increases. Would this happen if the accused people were not famous in any way and therefore subject to the cheap media attention?

Also, it was a different world in the years after the war. I am not talking about rape, which is a crime at any time, but the attitude then, and the culture, was that most men would 'make advances' and that it was part of growing up for a girl, to learn how to deal with this. Something now called a sexual assault could be nothing more than an unsolicited kiss, or a touch, for example.

I have never understood that theory either Iam.

KatyK, that comment that abused children go on to abuse is one that needs challenging whenever it's uttered. Yes, some people who have experienced abuse in its many forms go on to repeat that throughout their lives, and in all their relationships. My experience of working with children and families was that the vast majority of people are like you, they do their best not to replicate any of their own abuse experiences.

I agree with you wholeheartedly Iam. I had a terrible abusive, neglectful childhood and it has (I think) made me more sympathetic (empathetic?) towards people who are suffering similarly. I have often read that 'abused children go on to abuse'. I'm sure this must be the case with some people but I find it hard to imagine that this is the case. Personally it has had the opposite effect on me. I can't imagine wanting to inflict physical or psychological harm on others as I know how horrendous it was. Then again we are all different.

GillT57's comment reflects my own feelings on reading this thread. Enjoyable seems the wrong word, given the subject under discussion and the personal information shared by many. But, it reminds me why I enjoy GN so much.
Rosequartz reference to the Nature/Nurture issue in relation to personality development is so interesting (for me anyway!). Many people have tough times in childhood, not all of them go on to abuse others. What is it that enables the majority of us to put the brakes on our less likeable qualities, whilst others seem to develop those characteristics. It seems RH did have some odd childhood experiences, but my own belief is he made choices throughout his life. Those choices are catching up with him now.

I feel for his daughter. Did she have an inkling her father was sexually attracted to her friend as the girls hit their teens. Nauseating isn't it.

I wonder if there is an element of self-denial (not with Jimmy Savile, as he proved to be cocky and arrogant in how he deceived the public). Personally, I think that RH probably loved his wife in as limited a way as he could, perhaps putting her on a pedestal, and loved his daughter in a normal father/daughter way, although I think she may have had suspicions about him. Was this a deliberate smokescreen, or a 'split personality', separating his jolly persona and portrayal of happy family man from his other, darker, character. Or was it all a deliberate pretence?

Of course, being imprisoned awaiting sentencing has not always prevented suicide. Some would say 'good riddance' but others would feel they should have faced justice and served their sentence.

It sounds as if he had a rather strange upbringing, but it leaves one wondering about the nature or nurture conundrum.

I have a thought after reading Jeannette Kapfermann in the paper today who was friends with Rolf and his family for years.

Rolf was apparently very much into community life where they lived and supported the local events and interacted very much with everyone and was the life and soul of the party. Officiated at the local fete etc.

She of course was horrified and dismayed when all this came out.

I then thought of Savile and they way he popularised himself by doing all his `charity` work.

I then decided this is what these two men have in common, apart from the obvious of course. They both went out of their way to produce a smoke screen of goodness and likeability to cover up their modus operandi.

Compare them with Jim Davidson who was/is a womaniser but didn't bother to try to hide the fact and didn't try to alter the public perception of what he was and he has been found innocent.

It makes you think

"Don"t think it will be barrel of laughs for him , as it wasn"t for his victims !

Being a suicide risk isn't a reason to refuse bail. There have to be very strong reasons to deny it. For example, interfering with witnesses, the likelihood if committing further offences, lack of community ties and so on. It's unlikely that any of these apply in his case. But when sentencing takes place tomorrow (after the judge has read the social enquiry reports) we shall see what the next years hold for him.

Can I just say how much I enjoy GN? This is a grim subject, and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone's input and opinions, and in some cases very relevant experience, either professional or personal. Maybe enjoy isn't the right word for the terrible things that some of you have been brave enough to share, but I feel that this forum is a great place to find out what people really think, not the newspapers. Meanwhile, in Whitehall and Westminster, and Strasbourg they twitter on in their little way, just not knowing how we all feel, cope, and simply get on with whatever life throws our way.

I am surprised that he has been granted unconditional bail pending sentencing. I would have thought that he would be in custody pending sentencing, partly because he could now be a suicide risk.

Despite a legal team of very forceful, obviously clever and probably expensive barristers etc, he was found guilty by a unanimous verdict, and there may be more charges pending.

What have I missed whilst I have been out - more childish prattle?
By the way, johnnycash, I don't think Tony Abbott will take kindly to you taking his name as your pseudonym and projecting your thoughts and remarks on to him.
Do I hear the word litigation ........

I hope you are right when.

Yes, I have wondered if he is a suicide risk, too, nanKate. He'll be watched carefully in prison, but another part of me thinks he might get involved in education/art and make himself useful when he's not doing sessions on his offences.

I have been expecting news that RF has committed suicide before he is sentenced tomorrow.

He will lead a very different life from the one he has had in the last 84 years.

I wonder how long he will get ?

GillT57 exactly so! we are a civilised society, or at least we claim to be.

I agree - let's leave the illiterati to their sad little games of attention seeking.

I just think its unforgivable and they get what they deserve

That was meant to follow on from Gill' s.

But there are some naughty children...

Oh, I thought we were ignoring 'em...doesn't work unless everyone's on board, though!

Yes tonyabbot we are a civilised society and we do not throw people into prison to be torn apart by their fellow prisoners, however abhorrent their crimes.

Oh sugar! You've gotta be on here every minute or else you miss the good bits.

Does anybody else have an opinion?