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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be devastated about Rolf...

194 replies

GiddyStars · 19/04/2013 10:42

So Rolf Harris joins the list of those who have been arrested as part of Operation Yewtree (I know this is old news elsewhere but I don't read the Australian press).

I am distraught. I love Rolf and have always thought that he was a genuinely sweet and kind man. In fact I have said in the past to DH (following other high profile arrests), that if it ever came out that Rolf was horrid I would be devastated. And now I am.

He maintains no wrong doing. I will be upset either way. If he is found guilty and I have been wrong all these years or if he is innocent and an old man is about to be dragged through the mud.

Anyone else feel all out of kilter on hearing this or AIBU and a silly nostalgic?

OP posts:
AKissIsNotAContract · 19/04/2013 11:15

People need to stop being surprised about what abusers look like/act like. That's how they get away with abuse. Abusers look just like anyone else - someone's grandad, aunt, brother.

Laska42 · 19/04/2013 11:16

nnoooooooooooooooooooo..NOT Sooty.no no no. no no no

serin · 19/04/2013 11:17

I have always had suspicions about the Fat Controller.....

SherbetVodka · 19/04/2013 11:17

I'm not necessarily talking full-scale abuse but 'dodgy' behaviour - SIL was encouraged to sit on the knee of her best friend's dad when she was about 15 (!!!), DW was touched up by the school librarian etc....

A teacher I had when I was 8 did a chart of all the girls in the class's birthdays and made us say whether we wanted kisses or cuddles or both from him. He was always 'playfully' picking us up and turning us upside down and used to encourage us to come and sit on his lap and cuddle him. I don't think any of us had ever heard of child abuse and it never occurred to me to mention it to my mum even though it seemed slightly strange. This was in 1983-4.

Very glad kids are more aware these days that that kind of thing is not on!

MarvellousYou · 19/04/2013 11:18

If it's just rumour it could destroy him and his career. I know a teacher who was accused of similar, around about the same age as Rolf, it was too much for him and he had a breakdown. Accusations turned out to be false, he never married and gave his life to teaching children, he has never recovered.

wonderingsoul · 19/04/2013 11:19

beer-- no.. i think there no comparsons.. you know they are acting.

people liek savil had the courage to work with children. to even pretend he cared in front of millions. in the lime light. and its even scarier to think some one who has their moves tracked by the medis/fans so much can get away with stuff like this.

waterlego6064 · 19/04/2013 11:20

He was arrested a few weeks ago- Easter weekend I think. I read that the police seized his personal computer back in November, so his arrest suggests they may have found something on the computer as evidence.

But, as others have said, the truth will out via the justice system and in the meantime, it is all speculation.

NotTreadingGrapes · 19/04/2013 11:20

Rolf has already had a breakdown according to the other threads about this.

Why is this on the beeb website this morning I wonder, but with no additional news other than what was released last Friday? (I mean, last Friday (IIRC) it was revealed that the "82 year old male" arrested in Nov was RH, but today's beeb isn't saying anything different?

SherbetVodka · 19/04/2013 11:20

This reply has been deleted

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wonderingsoul · 19/04/2013 11:20

he was questioned years ago but was found to be innoceant.
i would bet that they have more evideance now.

LadyBeagleEyes · 19/04/2013 11:22

Sooty was lovely.
As for Sweep, I always thought he was a bit dodgy.
The things Sue told me...Shock

BeerTricksPotter · 19/04/2013 11:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ATJabberwocky · 19/04/2013 11:23

I wasn't expecting his name their either, just as shocked as you GiddyStars

LadyBeagleEyes · 19/04/2013 11:25

I think it's just today that the BBC have decided to name him NotTreadingGrapes.

redadmiralsinthegarden · 19/04/2013 11:25

agree - shocked at Rolf's name in the frame. but, as someone mentioned above, it's kind of good to be surprised. abusers do not have 'ABUSER' tatooed on their heads. oh, and of course, he is innocent until proven guilty.

piratecat · 19/04/2013 11:26

I'd heard it was to do with a complaint by a young woman back in the 'day', that he had wandering hands. This is obviously disgusting. It hadn't mentioned children or anything on a level with Saville re systematic abuse or minors.

member · 19/04/2013 11:36

He hasn't been charged with anything at the moment, the problem is that Operation Yewtree is associated with child sexual abuse; all we know is that he is being investigated for sexual offences. I'm not an apologist where offences have been committed, but let's stop jumping to the conclusion that children were involved.

Since his interview by appointment back in November, he has been named on the internet but the police have only stated "82 year old man" & post Leveson, main stream media have been cagey about naming a suspect where the police haven't. The Sun named him this morning which has opened the floodgates for the other media organisations who can say "The Sun reports that..."

Fudgemallowdelight · 19/04/2013 11:38

Innocent until proven guilty, so until that time he is still a "a genuinely sweet and kind man." as far as I'm concerned. (Although I don't know him, so he could be an utter bastard for all I know, but an innocent utter bastard.)

dexter73 · 19/04/2013 11:38

I remember someone telling me years ago that RF was well known as a bit of a groper, so I wonder if it has finally caught up with him.

lolaflores · 19/04/2013 11:39

As so many have said, back in the day a lot of seriously strange behaviour was over looked and I think everyone knew that going to the police about it would be a waste of time and effort. Or you may even end up in strife yourself. so, fast forward 30 years and with a fresh eye in a different climate of understanding and willingness to suspend the old thinking of "well if he is on telly, he must be alright", then this ground swell of incidents is going to happen. People who were once secure behind the veil of the telly are now on a level playing field. Also agree with the statement that most abusers do not look like abusers, which is why they get away with it more times than not.

Original poster
GiddyStars · 19/04/2013 11:40

Quite right. To clarify, he has not been charged with any offence and is on bail until May.

I don't think it's comparable to actors. A lot of Rolf's work is fairly unscripted next to some presenters and certainly actors. Clearly all famous people will have an on screen persona and we don't really 'know' them but he seemed a genuine and friendly chap when I happened to be on the train with him once.

I know abusers and deceivers come in all shapes and forms but I wouldn't throw him to the wolves based solely on that argument...I would hate to reach the point where I became someone who mistrusted people because they seemed too nice...that is a sad state of affairs and I say that as someone who often mistrusts people!

OP posts:
fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 19/04/2013 11:41

Being devastated is a bit daft tbh

Dolallytats · 19/04/2013 11:44

I feel upset about this too. I feel like part of my childhood has been a sham because I grew up watching him and continued to do so in adulthood because I thought he was so lovely.

I don't know if it is part pregnancy hormones, but I feel gutted.

YoniLovesChachi · 19/04/2013 11:45

I've always been a fan of Rolf, for as long as I've been watching TV. My children listen to his greatest hits CD on loop! He's always someone I've thought of as lovely and kind.

I really hope this isn't true, and that he didn't hurt anyone. He doesn't seem like those others who've been arrested Sad

BumBiscuits · 19/04/2013 11:47

I feel sorry for anyone who is truly innocent in all this.

Firstly the victims. Then the people who were around back then who were decent and also had no idea what was going on though I'm beginning to wonder if there are any such people as they must be getting tarred by the same awful brush.

Hell slap it into anyone who is guilty of or who turned a blind eye to any abuse that was taking place.

There have been people questioned and arrested in Operation Yewtree but no one has been convicted yet, to my knowledge willing to be proved wrong here . I'm a great believer in people being innocent until proven guilty and trial by media and social networks helps no-one.