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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:
Laska42 · 19/04/2013 11:48

ther are no charges yet.. we must remember this.

I do think devastated is a valid reaction though ,because what ever he has or hasn't done. He is part of so many of ours and our kid's childhoods. and of course as children we look up and trust these entertainers.. so even as adults we retain that trust

BumBiscuits · 19/04/2013 11:49

Fanjo I agree with you. Unless Rolf is a personal friend, feeling devastation (really? devastation?) is taking it a bit far. To most of us he's only someone off the telly.

BobblyGussets · 19/04/2013 11:50

YY to Lola and Fanjo.

I felt gutted that Rolf has been accused, but then had a word with myself. It does seem a bit disrespectful to the victims of these crimes to feel all sad that one's favourite tv character is an alleged abuser.

Jimmy Saville was probably the extreme, but I do think it was all part of the intrinsic sexism that was so prevalent back in the day. Yes there is still plenty of sexism to go around today, but we have raised the bar so much higher for expected standards of behaviour and the actions of the past are coming home to roost under the spotlight of today's higher standards.

All these revelations are shocking, but they will help to make sure the figures for abuse are much lower in the future.

Slumberparty · 19/04/2013 11:58

I know someone who's parents were friends with him years and years ago. A couple of years ago I was asking what Rolf Harris was like (as I imagined him to be a nice guy). Apparently he was always quite 'Hands On' with any females in the room. Of course that doesn't make him a child sex offender, but I think he's always been of a perv at the very least.

notfluffy · 19/04/2013 12:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pickles101 · 19/04/2013 12:11

Two posters on here have made what come across as really shitty, lame jokes to do with song names, that's made me feel more ill than the allegations themselves. Fucking disgusting.

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 19/04/2013 12:18

This thread reminds me of that thread a couple of years ago regarding Jo Yeates landlord. Utterly vile . And for the mindless twats making "jokes" about "two little boys " grow the fuck up.

HoHoHoNoYouDont · 19/04/2013 12:18

I think it's just awful. Personally I don't believe he has been involved in anything sinister. I know I could be wrong as I don't know any info the police are going on but you know when you get the feeling that he's just being dragged in through association with others.

I will remain a Rolf fan until they prove it Grin

Sparklingbrook · 19/04/2013 12:19

I second that HoHo. Smile

DreamsTurnToGoldDust · 19/04/2013 12:22

Just speaking from the other side, I was raped at 15, apart from my parents no one believed me, apparantely he was too nice to do anything like that.

But he did.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 19/04/2013 12:52

"Personally I don't believe he has been involved in anything sinister"

How on earth can you know anything just from seeing him on TV??

My mind boggles.

lolaflores · 19/04/2013 13:04

All i can say, is that imagine the strength and bravery it took someone to step forward and insist that they/he/she received unacceptable behaviour from such a largely loved figure. Indeed, we should keep our collective powder dry till more details emerge, but no one would go to these lengths and knowing that so many people would be horrified with half a story based on made up stuff. Just saqying

MiaowTheCat · 19/04/2013 13:13

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CloudsAndTrees · 19/04/2013 13:13

I'm sad too that Rolf Harris has been implicated in such a serious thing, I met him once and thought he was lovely.

It's interesting to read that other people have had a bad feeling about him. I had bad feelings about all of the others, Saville and Davidson all gave me the creeps even as a child, but not Rolf.

StealthOfficialCrispTester · 19/04/2013 13:20

Sorry that happened to you dreams. I appreciate he is innocent until proven guilty but at the moment there is evidence linking him to the crimes which is under investigation.

Original poster
GiddyStars · 19/04/2013 13:34

Dreams - I understand the other side too, I have been there at 15 and with parents who didn't believe me as he was a respectable member of a particular organisation. They chose to only believe me, and then blame me, when I had my another family member listen in on a phonecall. Please don't think I'm trying to say that people can be considered 'too nice' to abuse. Maybe I worded it all wrong. What I am trying to say (badly) is that because of my experiences I don't want to allow myself to become disproportionately suspicious of people, thinking they can't be that nice, when maybe they really are genuine. If that makes any sense?!

OP posts:
BeerTricksPotter · 19/04/2013 13:44

This reply has been deleted

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GingerBlondecat · 19/04/2013 13:47

I don't believe it and I doubt I ever will (In referance to Rolf)

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 19/04/2013 13:49

It is frankly ridiculous that people say they don't believe it and never will just because he has a fluffy affable persona on TV.

Are people really this gullible?

I am really surprised.

StealthOfficialCrispTester · 19/04/2013 13:49

Ginger, you are effectively saying you believe the victims are lying.

BeerTricksPotter · 19/04/2013 13:52

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsTittleMouse · 19/04/2013 13:52

Interesting take with an american equivalent (the voice of Elmo) here:
www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2012/11/21/kevin_clash_resigns_as_elmo_why_is_our_first_instinct_to_defend_the_sesame.html

MooneyRara · 19/04/2013 13:53

eh? Where does it say anywhere that he is guilty of anything? Have I missed something?

I don't feel as though he is likely to have done anything horrible. JS was always a creepy bastard. No problem believing that.

miemohrs · 19/04/2013 13:54

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HoHoHoNoYouDont · 19/04/2013 13:55

Its unfair that individuals are named before a charge is brought against them. This can be so damaging. The great british press!