Crikey, now Max Clifford has been arrested...

[headfairy]

by officers on Operation Yewtree. Where's it going to end? Is anyone not a sexual offender?*

• Yes I know plenty aren't.

[PottedShrimp]

Do we honestly think that they are/were all abusing people though, or does anyone get the feeling like me that there could be a bit of 'jumping on the bandwagon' going on.

[AmberLeaf]

'Jumping on the bandwagon'?

What, do you mean, making it up that you were abused?

[PottedShrimp]

AmberLeaf. Exactly that. There are some sick people out there, and victims in this case will be compensated. So yes.

[MrsjREwing]

People said the same at first about those exposure girls. There are about 3% of the population that are psychopaths (antisocial personality disorder), they end up in positions of authority and control, some happen to have an interest in sex and by the nature of a psychopath they will not care about those they take what they want from, they choose victims well.

[AmberLeaf]

There are some sick people out there

Indeed. They would generally be the ones abusing children, not people 'making up' abuse.

[headfairy]

I don't think it's a case of bandwagon at all, once one claim of abuse or assault is made then it gives other victims the courage to come forward. I think after the Savile story first broke and new victims were coming forward every day a police spokesperson said something along the lines of victims often feel they can't speak about it until their abuser is dead or other claims have been made, because they've been so damaged by their experiences they don't have the confidence to make a complaint, or in some way feel it's their fault :(

[KatoPotatoHoHo]

When Louis met jimmy Saville is/was available online. Daily motion had it

[KatoPotatoHoHo]

And the Clifford/Louis one is worth researching for the Simon Cowell stuff!

[MrsjREwing]

I understand there was a tweet regarding a hush hush court hearing yeaterday.

[PottedShrimp]

Amberleaf. I suggest you google = false allegations of abuse. You will have your eyes opened. I am not saying anyone in particular is making false allegations, just generalisation that quite possibly in amongst these victims there will be people in it for some compensation. It happens. Not nice to even think about but a sad fact that has to be accepted unfortunately.

[nameswinger1]

Not long ago a subscriber of mumsnet described her ordeal when assisting the ITV exposure documentary. She said she had to take a lie detector test along with rigorous questioning from various staff.
It's certainly no walk in the park when coming forward and it must feel awful to be doubted.

[DreamsTurnToGoldDust]

Do we really want to go down that road of disbelieving victims of abuse? Every case needs to be heard and investigated, thats why we have a court system, of course the nature of life means that there are always liars, but we cannot stop the police investigating on that basis, there are many many more victims and they are the ones that matter.

My feeling is that there are people who would rather not believe that a/any celebrity could be involved in any kind of abuse and that I find worrying.

[KrisMoose]

Re: bandwagoners

In all the flurry of accusations, surely the Police will choose the one or two strongest cases against the accused - rather than every accusation getting an equal billing. So the bandwagoners (if indeed there are any) will be gotten rid of in that manner, anyway.

I certainly assume this would be the case - I may well be wrong though.

[PottedShrimp]

Why are they actually naming all those who are arrested. This seems to be something new, because I thought they couldnt be named until charged. To protect both parties?

[Jux]

No Dreams, we don't. Well, I don't and I'm sure that we're not the only ones. That would just put us in the 'asking for it' group who apologised for rapists for so many decades and we're getting past that now I hope.

Yes, some people lie, some people lie sometimes, but if one person fakes a robbery that doesn't mean all or even most robberies fake. That's how we should look at it. I'm sure that if we can get the belief in the victim into the system - as it is for all other crimes - then the liars will be much easier to identify; but just because there might be one or even two people who want to give it a go, doesn't mean that we should assume that anyone or everyone is making it up.

[HanSolo]

for every 1 person making false claims, there will be at least 1000 not speaking out, so frankly, I can live with a few false claims if it helps people move on and come to terms with what has happened to them.

[PottedShrimp]

Hans , and if this false claim were about you or a memberof your family? You could live with that?

[DreamsTurnToGoldDust]

Thats what we have courts for isnt it?

Potted, I`m not sure what your saying, should no one be questioned just in case they are innocent? Of course, miscarriages of justices happen and its appalling for anyone accused who is innocent, but so is being a victim and not being believed. If a person has been accused then

[DreamsTurnToGoldDust]

whoops, then yes that person needs to be questioned, then its either let them go or charge them.

Though I agree with making public anyone who is arrested and questioned but I mean that for everyone not just people in the public eye, it does seem unfair, but I`m of the impression that the names arnt released, leaked I think, though I could be wrong there!

[PottedShrimp]

No not what I am saying. I am saying the media are nowadays naming those arrested and questioned before they are charged.

[DreamsTurnToGoldDust]

Ah well as we know the media are a law unto themselves! But I dont know the law around it, but I suppose they are just reporting that someone is being questioned.

[HanSolo]

Yes I could- I would be vindicated as soon as there were any investigation.
I realise false claims can be very damaging, but you seem to be trying to minimise the damage done to children that are abused, and your comments above could be misconstrued- many people that try to deflect blame for rape from rapists, blame women for their rapes, and often try to draw attention to those that make false claims. The numbers that do this are in fact very very small, but if you spoke to a rape apologist, you'd come away thinking that more than half of rape claims were false ones!

I'm sure you're not trying to make readers think that children haven't been abused and adults are now just making up stories- that's just what it looks like.

[Hellokitt]

Oh gosh! Got a surprise when I saw the other celeb hinted at here . 24 years ago my sisters then boyfriend told us that they had arrested him on ( he was police) charges of child sex abuse but they were told to drop it and he wasnt charged. He told us as the celeb lived v near us . I've often wondered over the years if there was anything in what he said, & when this first broke with Saville I instantly thought won't be long before his name comes out. Yes I agree not good to speculate without evidence but seeing his name hinted at gave me the shivers.

[chrismissymoomoomee]

Hans I know a person that was falsly accused of a serious crime. He was named in the paper, lost his job, got beaten up in the street several times (even had to be hospitalised more than once), tried to take his own life, had to get strong medication, had to move because there was a real witch hunt on.

As it turned out the person accussing him admitted it was completely false, and ended up getting charged and punished.

Even though this was many years ago now if you google the persons name then the reports from him getting arrested which has caused problems in relationships, friendships and jobs.

Being vindicated isn't the end of it, it can ruin someones life. You may think you could live with a false claim in theory, in practice I suspect that you couldn't.

No-one should be allowed to be named in an investigation at this stage.

[PottedShrimp]

Thank you chrismissy, that is exactly what i am trying to say, but you have put it much clearer!