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Original post by Nogoodsorgods
And he had not done anything for at least the last 20 years.

Probably not true. He is allegeded to have done this. http://www.express.co.uk/comment/columnists/vanessa-feltz/351029/The-time-I-was-groped-on-live-TV It wasn't in the court case as the defence had not had time to respond. There were others, don't know what time period they represented. He certainly repeatedly viewed images of young women, images that may or moay not have been of people over 18 but that he had searched for with terms that show he was looking for child images.

So why is it deemed OK by so many newspaper columnists to treat Rolf more harshly in proportion to his fame and talent?

He used his fame to get away with it.
.
But he never claimed to be the Cliff Richard kind of icon. If others saw than in him, if doesn't necessarily mean he was trying to fool anyone.

Google Cliff Richard yewtree.


One comment from his daughter that she was excited at the idea that she might inherit £11 million from him as sole person in his will strikes me as more disgusting than Rolf's own lapses.

What person wouldn't be excited at the idea of inheriting 11 million, not that she will now. Rolf's actions are not "lapses", they are crimes

It is not nice to have something done to you that you didn't ask for nor want. But that doesn't necessarily mean that your life would be so much better if it hadn't. It's not full sexual intercourse we're talking about with anonymous, creepy, old men. Nobody except the fevered imaginations of journalists and those who used Rolf's name for their own good should be regarding Rolf Harris as massively creepy. He's just human - a male. And he deserves to have a decent family life after he has been released.
He hasn't killed anyone. He hasn't even raped anyone..


Think you are trying to rationalise the abuse you say you suffered. Actually if it started at 13 with his daughter's friend that would now, not sure about the law at the time, be statutory rape because a 13 year old cannot legally consent to sex. He is a creepy old man and anyone who thinks all males are as sick needs help. And he didn't have a good family life before this, he negected his daughter.
It is good that they are catching these people.

But it's sad for our country as it makes us look like a bunch of perverts.

Whereas in other countries you can have actors who used to grope women's breasts on film sets (Arnold Schwarzenegger) who is governor of California. Or Michael Jackson who used to sleep with little boys who is considered a national hero. Or Justin Beiber who just feels up everyone in nightclubs and smashes things up all the time is considered a national treasure.

I think there ought to be an American version of this investigation. Although I don't think I could take the pain. Luckily I don't have any heroes anymore. :frown:

Its a sad sad world. :frown:

On the other hand the amount of times I've had my butt pinched by a girl in a nightclub... I've never considered it assault - annoying, though, if she is not hot. So I think SOME of the allegations are over the top. But most are pretty fair.
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by yo radical one
I honestly think there is something mentally wrong with a significant number of TSR users.

Rolf Harris sexually abused children and so many people here either feel sorry for him or want to make excuses for him. It's as if emotionally they haven't come to terms with the fact that a person they clearly loved (personally I find it impossible to love people I don't know), did this, even if their minds understand it at a conceptual level. It's strange, I've always assumed that child abuse was perhaps the one thing with evokes a special level of hatred and disgust in people, but it seems as a more general point, many people will let pretty much anything slide, provided the person doing it has the necessary level of charisma. Pathetic.



Original post by SophieSmall
I don't feel sorry for Rolf Harris. I feel sorry for his victims.



Original post by manchesterunited15
He's disgusting and so are you



Original post by Wilfred Little
The worst part for me was the cheek of fronting that campaign against child molestation.
Deserves everything he gets the dirty nonce.


Damn straight.
Can't feel sorry for someone who went around sexually abusing kids tbh.

The only time I feel slight...not sympathy, but unease about the escalation of some cases, is when the person involved isn't being charged with rape/serious sexual assault, but something like groping someone's arse/breast. Yes it isn't pleasant, I'm not defending their actions and they should publicly apologize, but when these men are in their 80's+ people do have to take into account that it was a different world when they were younger men. It doesn't make it right, but as my Mum discusses when these sort of things come up, it was seen as something which just had to be put up with, some men, especially celebrities, DJ's etc, would get a bit frisky at times and not respect personal boundaries due to their arrogance, you'd shrug it off (the odd slap on the bum) and carry on, people weren't as sensitive about such things and wouldn't make a big deal of it as we do today. You also had young teenage groupies who at the time wouldn't have minded the attention, in reflection it was improper and we wouldn't approve of it now. It wasn't a great thing to experience, but when the tabloids suddenly get hold of a thing like this now, you get a surprising amount of people who suddenly remember that horrific time they were groped in a one off occasion when they were a 17yr old waitress, and suddenly 40 years later despite a successful career and family life, they will remember the horrible trauma and yes £10,000 from the old guys estate would really go towards helping them recover, of course it's not about the money.

If we still had negs I'm sure I'd get a shed load, but hey ho, I'll just call it realism of how things used to be.

But Rolf Harris, sexual assault by penetration, his owns kids best friend, 8 yr old girls...yeah I have no sympathy at all OP and you do come across as being a little pro-paedophilia.
Reply 24
He makes me sick. Non-practicing paedophiles (who don't even watch child porn or perve on children) don't so much though.
I don't know if I feel sorry for him or not... What he did was obviously wrong and disgusting, but I am honestly tired of hearing about cases like this. I feel a majority of his victims just did this for the money. If they were really traumatised by the abuse as they claim to be, why wait this long? Yes I know it's not easy for some people to tell someone about abuse, but it shouldn't take someone 20, 30, or even 40 years to do so. It makes me wonder, if the whole Jimmy Savile scandal wasn't publicised, would these victims of other entertainers come out? No. Because the Jimmy Savile scandal basically sparked it all up. Why wait until the man is dead or in his old age to do something like this? Now I'm not saying they shouldn't get justice, but wouldn't you rather get the guy who abused you caught and sent to prison as early as possible? Don't leave it until the man is old, he's lived most of his life already. A life in comfort and wealth.
Original post by Novascope
I don't know if I feel sorry for him or not... What he did was obviously wrong and disgusting, but I am honestly tired of hearing about cases like this. I feel a majority of his victims just did this for the money. If they were really traumatised by the abuse as they claim to be, why wait this long? Yes I know it's not easy for some people to tell someone about abuse, but it shouldn't take someone 20, 30, or even 40 years to do so. It makes me wonder, if the whole Jimmy Savile scandal wasn't publicised, would these victims of other entertainers come out? No. Because the Jimmy Savile scandal basically sparked it all up. Why wait until the man is dead or in his old age to do something like this? Now I'm not saying they shouldn't get justice, but wouldn't you rather get the guy who abused you caught and sent to prison as early as possible? Don't leave it until the man is old, he's lived most of his life already. A life in comfort and wealth.


It's very easy to say that but at the same time it's not easy to go through. Some of these victims may have taken years to summon up the courage to come forward, some might have repressed the memories for some time and other may not have had the courage to come forward without knowing there were other victims too for fear of not being believed if it was just them.

It may have also taken years for some of these victims to tell their friends and family what happened to them and they may have only then felt like they could take into legal action with the support of those around them.
(edited 9 years ago)
Reply 27
Original post by Novascope
I don't know if I feel sorry for him or not... What he did was obviously wrong and disgusting, but I am honestly tired of hearing about cases like this. I feel a majority of his victims just did this for the money. If they were really traumatised by the abuse as they claim to be, why wait this long? Yes I know it's not easy for some people to tell someone about abuse, but it shouldn't take someone 20, 30, or even 40 years to do so. It makes me wonder, if the whole Jimmy Savile scandal wasn't publicised, would these victims of other entertainers come out? No. Because the Jimmy Savile scandal basically sparked it all up. Why wait until the man is dead or in his old age to do something like this? Now I'm not saying they shouldn't get justice, but wouldn't you rather get the guy who abused you caught and sent to prison as early as possible? Don't leave it until the man is old, he's lived most of his life already. A life in comfort and wealth.


Yeah abuse victims are well known for being fans of publicity :/

Ridiculous logic.

Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Ggmu!
Yeah abuse victims are well known for being fans of publicity :/

Ridiculous logic.

Posted from TSR Mobile


Hold on... Did I say ALL abuse victims are fans of publicity? No. I'm talking about SOME of the abuse victims of these entertainers.
I was shocked and a bit taken aback when he was even charged cos he seemed a really likeable person on TV but he committed one of the most depraved atrocities possible and should therefore be condemned to the confines of a prison cell for the rest of his days in my eyes.
Reply 30
Original post by Novascope
Hold on... Did I say ALL abuse victims are fans of publicity? No. I'm talking about SOME of the abuse victims of these entertainers.


How about none?

How did all the victims know they'd be taken seriously when the super loved megastar Jimmy Savile was being broadcasted into our TV's every week? Back when society was even more sexist, you think their accusations would have been take seriously?

Honestly your position is disgusting and your attitude disgusts me. You have no idea how it must feel to be a victim of such abuse (if you do then it's made you crazy, evidently) nor do you know how you'd react.

Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Ggmu!
How about none?

How did all the victims know they'd be taken seriously when the super loved megastar Jimmy Savile was being broadcasted into our TV's every week? Back when society was even more sexist, you think their accusations would have been take seriously?

Honestly your position is disgusting and your attitude disgusts me. You have no idea how it must feel to be a victim of such abuse (if you do then it's made you crazy, evidently) nor do you know how you'd react.

Posted from TSR Mobile


What he did was obviously wrong and disgusting.
Yes I know it's not easy for some people to tell someone about abuse
Now I'm not saying they shouldn't get justice, but wouldn't you rather get the guy who abused you caught and sent to prison as early as possible? Don't leave it until the man is old, he's lived most of his life already. A life in comfort and wealth.

I really don't think that is disgusting. You're just being very dramatic. I don't even have an attitude, but now you've given me a reason to have one. I am FOR these victims. I said that what has happened to them is wrong and disgusting, but I just think that it would have been better if these people spoke out earlier because that way these men would have been punished earlier and they wouldn't have managed to lead the good lives that they did. No I haven't been abused on a serious level, but I do know how I'd react because personally I am a strong person and I'd speak out as soon as I can. But I understand everyone is different. How about you don't come to me with your attitude and call me names for simply stating MY damn opinion.
Reply 32
Original post by Novascope
What he did was obviously wrong and disgusting.
Yes I know it's not easy for some people to tell someone about abuse
Now I'm not saying they shouldn't get justice, but wouldn't you rather get the guy who abused you caught and sent to prison as early as possible? Don't leave it until the man is old, he's lived most of his life already. A life in comfort and wealth.

I really don't think that is disgusting. You're just being very dramatic. I don't even have an attitude, but now you've given me a reason to have one. I am FOR these victims. I said that what has happened to them is wrong and disgusting, but I just think that it would have been better if these people spoke out earlier because that way these men would have been punished earlier and they wouldn't have managed to lead the good lives that they did. No I haven't been abused on a serious level, but I do know how I'd react because personally I am a strong person and I'd speak out as soon as I can. But I understand everyone is different. How about you don't come to me with your attitude and call me names for simply stating MY damn opinion.


You've just ignored the reasons I gave and said 'Yh but should have reported it when he was alive'.

I'd love there to be worldwide peace and love but there isn't. I'd love to see Savile punished but he can't. The most that can be done now is to destroy his memory and closure to victims.

Your attitude is still disgusting, your essay did nothing to change that.

Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Novascope
What he did was obviously wrong and disgusting.
Yes I know it's not easy for some people to tell someone about abuse
Now I'm not saying they shouldn't get justice, but wouldn't you rather get the guy who abused you caught and sent to prison as early as possible? Don't leave it until the man is old, he's lived most of his life already. A life in comfort and wealth.

I really don't think that is disgusting. You're just being very dramatic. I don't even have an attitude, but now you've given me a reason to have one. I am FOR these victims. I said that what has happened to them is wrong and disgusting, but I just think that it would have been better if these people spoke out earlier because that way these men would have been punished earlier and they wouldn't have managed to lead the good lives that they did. No I haven't been abused on a serious level, but I do know how I'd react because personally I am a strong person and I'd speak out as soon as I can. But I understand everyone is different. How about you don't come to me with your attitude and call me names for simply stating MY damn opinion.


Just because they left it a long time to speak out doesn't mean he is worthy of your sympathy. Not even a little bit. Victims of sexual abuse often take a while to out it, because of the shame and embarrassment they will feel and for fear of nobody believing them. Him living a life of luxury until now is not acceptable, he obviously thought he'd got away with it. I don't understand how you could feel sorry for such a sick individual :/ I agree with you that it's unfortunate that the victims left it so long but that doesn't mean it should go unpunished now, by any means
Original post by Ggmu!
You've just ignored the reasons I gave and said 'Yh but should have reported it when he was alive'.

I'd love there to be worldwide peace and love but there isn't. I'd love to see Savile punished but he can't. The most that can be done now is to destroy his memory and closure to victims.

Your attitude is still disgusting, your essay did nothing to change that.

Posted from TSR Mobile



I had no attitude to start off with. Only until you came with your cockiness. Please stop blabbing on as if I'm pro-paedophilia or something because I'm not. I feel sorry for these victims, I'm just personally tired of switching on the news and hearing about it now because it seems to have gone on for a long time. I'm also very tired talking to someone who thinks I'm a monster or something for saying these women should have tried to speak out earlier. So I'm done with you.
I find it hard to believe Rolph Harris is this big paedophile monster, he seemed like a good egg on TV back in the day, unlike Saville who gave off the creeper vibes through and through.

Also I'm not terribly informed on the case but some of the charges and evidence sounded a bit dodgy.


In my heart I'd like him to appeal and prove himself innocent, but as of now he is guilty, I feel bad for his victims and I feel bad for him. He had a nations respect and even love and lost it. It sucks when someone you liked and respected turned out to be crooked, but hopefully his victims can move on and he faces justice.
Original post by infairverona
Just because they left it a long time to speak out doesn't mean he is worthy of your sympathy. Not even a little bit. Victims of sexual abuse often take a while to out it, because of the shame and embarrassment they will feel and for fear of nobody believing them. Him living a life of luxury until now is not acceptable, he obviously thought he'd got away with it. I don't understand how you could feel sorry for such a sick individual :/ I agree with you that it's unfortunate that the victims left it so long but that doesn't mean it should go unpunished now, by any means


I never said he deserves sympathy.. I never even actually said I feel sorry for him jheez and I never said he should go unpunished either. I said I am unsure. I'm more for not feeling sorry for him that I am for feeling sorry for him, but the only reason why that tiny uncertainty is there for me is purely because of his age. Whenever I think of old people I can't help but think of lovely fragile people, even though many can be nasty and evil. So yes I can acknowledge that maybe I'm being too soft hearted purely for the fact that he's old so I apologise for that. I just wish people like him could have be caught earlier.
He was also found to possess child porn, so therefore it's no longer something should could easily have been dodgey grey area touching a groupie too young to know how old she is but getting child porn is a deliberate act. It takes effort. He could've been drunk and touched someone's knickers, but clearly he didn't just make mistakes, he flat out pursued horrible acts.

That said, the story said it was found under floorboards and a plumber had found it. It could all be a coincidence.
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by Novascope
I never said he deserves sympathy.. I never even actually said I feel sorry for him jheez and I never said he should go unpunished either. I said I am unsure. I'm more for not feeling sorry for him that I am for feeling sorry for him, but the only reason why that tiny uncertainty is there for me is purely because of his age. Whenever I think of old people I can't help but think of lovely fragile people, even though many can be nasty and evil. So yes I can acknowledge that maybe I'm being too soft hearted purely for the fact that he's old so I apologise for that. I just wish people like him could have be caught earlier.


No I was just saying because I saw you said you don't know if you feel sorry for him or not, your sympathy would be better directed at the victims than him. It is unfortunate because he is old and I totally understand what you mean about old people, for me though that just makes it worse. That he could do something so awful and then go on living his life as normal, fooling everyone into thinking he is a perfectly normal man. It's all very sinister :frown:
To be honest I was pretty shocked when I first heard about the allegations and was wondering if it was just some nutter trying to make some quick cash by taking advantage of thee very sad situations that are coming to light. But it would appear this is not the case. I just hope his victims and those around them as well as Rolfs family are getting the support and privacy they need to get through this.

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