Jimmy Savile

Thank you for the link, Mice. It makes very depressing reading. He makes a very good point about the 1960s and the total confusion about sexual freedom.

I find it quite incredible, how many of our claimants say they have been abused as a child!
I agree I'm seeing a disadvantaged portion of the population,but I do wonder?
I don't dispute their ascertations.
But!!

Beyond words

That picture shows their interest doesn't it

That says it all.

Take a look at how the issue of child protection is being addressed in parliament. I wonder why we don't trust our MPs?

https://mobile.twitter.com/cocobelle79/status/268374314951254016/photo/1

And he was one of the voices of Children's Hour - ending up with 'Goodnight Children - everywhere'.

I think Uncle Mac was the main presenter of Children's Hour on the Radio which I seem to remember was on daily at 5 pm. Not an avid fan myself but some of my friends were.

John Simpson should come out and say categorically who his "Uncle Dick" was in his book.

He hasn't, has he?

Thanks, merlot!

Yes, Marelli. Children's Favourites.

I wasn't sure about that, jingle. And as you say, mistakes can be easily made - and that's why it's so terribly important for the real truth to be outed - carefully and properly.
Uncle Mac was on the radio! Was it a Saturday morning?

Wasn't All Your Own presented by Huw Wheldon? I don't think Uncle Mac ever appeared on TV - he had 'a face for radio'.

No, I know you didn't imply that Greatnan. I inferred you were talking about having an outlet for expressing sexuality and orientation in a more open society. Sadly, opening up opportunities to express one's sexual proclivities only serves to allow some sex offenders to believe they are free to abuse children.

See! Already Marelli is identifying the wrong person. Just shows how easily false accusations get about.

(I don't mean Marelli did anything wrong there of course. But mistakes are easily made)

I didn't mean to imply that all paedophiles are gay - far from it - as I know girls are targeted at least as often as boys. I am just trying to find some ray of hope for the future of our children. I know there needs to be much more research into how and why people become abusers. The fact that corporal punishment is not officially allowed in schools seems to be cancelled out by the enormous availability of sadism on the internet. That damned stupid book hasn't helped (50 shades....)

Unfortunately no, Greatnan - attraction to children is independent of whether they are gay, bi or straight. Sex offenders who are free to have adult relationships with any gender of their preference will still abuse pre-pubescent children and teenagers if they get the opportunity. Abusing priests may be allowed to marry one day, but it will not stop them abusing children.

Or will it drive those men and their activities even deeper underground?
I'm afraid I can't be as optimistic!

I wonder if fewer men will abuse children in the future because they are able to be open about their sexuality and have relationships with other adults?
I am ever the optimist.

Like others have said, I have no sympathy for adult sex offenders who abuse children and steal their childhoods. Whether or not they were corrupted into offending, they are exercising a choice to harm children. That is unforgivable.

The pity I do feel is for them when they were children themselves, and would have been coerced, persuaded or groomed into being sexually abused by adults, or even other children who would have been 'socialised' into such behaviour. I often think about those abused children, who are looking for justice now they are adults, and wonder about the small percentage of them who have ended up repeating this behaviour themselves. The terrible harm that one sex offender can inflict has wide ripples

I don't remember him being on the Telly, Marelli and I think Huw Weldon presented 'All Your Own' but I could be wrong.

I remember looking forward to seeing 'Uncle Mac' - my mother used to call me in to watch it. Did he not also used to host a show called 'All Your Own' - a type of talent show for children? I feel the same as Ella46.

That's just how I feel. Ella; especially looking back to a time when I felt that childhood was just that, with children not having the pressure of having to grow up before their time. Also favourite programmes such as Round the Horne; Julian and Sandy for example. The ambiguity doesn't seem so amusing now .

It's as though part of my childhood was based on a nightmare, if you know what I mean.
I find that article very sad and disgusting at the same time