General Chat

Veteran entertainer Rolf Harris has been found guilty of indecently assaulting four girls.

The 84-year-old was convicted of 12 attacks between 1968 and 1986.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28094561

I've just heard this on the news. I remember when he was first charged, there were members who said that they couldn't believe such a "nice man" would do such a thing.

It is often "nice" people who do, that's how they get away with it for so long

I am shocked.........but maybe that's how predators work :-( :-(

Lynda, I was one of those who thought it wasn't true as well.....my .apologies to his victims, lesson learnt.xx

It is Kitty it is :-(

that's true Lynda
having met Rolf at a cat show
I am shocked he did like you said seam like a nice friendly man


but what I do find it odd these stars accused are either old or dead :-( :-(

I must either walk about with my eyes shut or trust everyone..................I am quite upset now that I am such a poor judge of character. *goes for a calming cuppa* :-S

he was telling "blue" jokes in front of young children in the 1970's, i know because i was there, have never liked the man since..

Don't beat yourselves up Joy & Kitty, these types of people work hard at fooling you,. It's not that you're a bad judge of character, it's them that are scheming liars.

I'm more aware because I worked with these types, and saw how they try to manipulate. I also had dealings with one who was a foster carer when I was, I knew there was something amiss, although didn't suspect abuse, I told the powers that be, who said I "shouldn't get so involved" ! Now I am on super creep alertness.

Thank you Lynda and Stella..............I feel better now, still so sad for all the victims and Rolf''s family though.

His family are just more victims I suppose :-( :-(

No one should beat themselves up for thinking he could not have done the things he was accused - the individuals who do these things are not only experts at getting what they are after, they are also devilishly clever in covering up their tracks :-|

I had hoped he wouldn't be found guilty, but even that wouldn't have meant he was innocent. Very sad for his family and of course his victims.

I agree Joy - I am quite bewildered by it all coming out now, especially the latest one - Leonard Rossiter. He has been dead close on to 30 years. I don't understand why anyone would want to go through the court process when at the end of the day the alleged offender will never know about it or be punished if found guilty.

Rolf Harris like many sexual predators was just very good at hiding his darker side. I am glad justice has now been served.

And he painted our Queen's portrait. Many years ago children were not believed but accused of saying nasty things. Also the circles these people moved in could perhaps close ranks etc.

Perhaps the victims will now have some peace of mind.

Has anyone thought that it takes years to even contemplate talking about the abuse that victims suffered.

In a friends case it has taken her 60 years to start talking about it because she was told NO-ONE would believe her and she was told she would be taken away from her family.

That's why people take years to talk.

Dont beat yourselves up Joy and Kitty,,,,,,,

even the queen didn't have an inkling or she wouldnt have had him paint her,,,,,,,,she thought he was a nice man I'm sure.,,,,,hope shes put a match to it.

depraived,devious and vile minded people.

another one bites the dust.

How many more will be brought out of the woodwork and finally get the punishment they deserve? No matter that some may have died now, their names which were 'revered' will be rightfully tarnished. I do feel it's sad for their families but who knows what they suspected or didn't want to hear/know. Love can be very blind.

The victims need to have closure of any kind on the abuse they suffered, it may help them move on in their lives whatever age they are now. Most will have suffered for years with no one to listen to them and it may easily have impacted greatly on their lives and their emotions, causing problems with relationships etc.


So many terrible things happening still in this world, and still it goes on, even somewhat condoned in some countries. I can't see things ever being different sadly.

Lizx

I wonder who will be dug up next :-D :-D

Families often are completely unaware of their loved one's crimes.................I have a huge amount of sympathy for them, they don't deserve to be condemned out of hand by assuming they all must have known something was going on.

They will have to live with the guilt of not knowing what was going on as well as the loss of the person they knew and loved.

Their world has been turned upside down and I feel for them as much as the victims of the guilty party.

There are no winners in any of these cases.

Tomorrows papers are saying that he was shown around Broadmore by Savile and was able to watch patients undress.

Sky news is also saying that when he painted the Queen Buckingham Palace received a letter warning them.

Feel very sorry for his wife and daughter

This sends shivers down my spine. It was a different time then.

I now realise how forward thinking my dad was. I remember him telling me (whilst I was 'helping' him in yet another failed DIY project) - I was about 10 (1966) - that my body was mine, and I could do what I wanted with it, but no-one else could!
Dad (I found out much later - like 20 years ago) was a master in unarmed combat, and in my early teens showed me a couple of defensive 'moves' - but not in a 'you may need these' way, more in a 'don't do this, it will cause a great deal of pain' way. :-D

I found out (accidently) that he was right - and (obviously) showed my daughters
:-D

He also instilled in me the ethos that I was no worse, and no better (very important that) than anyone else, so the 'fame' of others has never meant a lot to me.

A famous musician once 'tried it on' with me, in 1986, (I was 30) in a most ungentlemanly manner. I was tipsy - it was a dance, (therefore according to this bloke, 'available') but I am not stupid, neither am I 'easy' and was not impressed :-|
He certainly wasn't expecting a rant about his lack of morals, sexist presumptions and disgusting manners :-D :-D
Yet, even then, I was asked to 'cool it', as apparently, this was 'Insert name of famous clarinetist'. Had the wine bottle I was holding been empty, it would have ended up around his head.

Children wouldn't stand a chance with determined predators.