Re: Stuart Hall sentence
Sorry to see you think my opinion is crass ... and worth zilch.
It is nevertheless a valid opinion and I stand by it.
I'm not doubting there are some genuine victims in there ... along with a load jumping on the bandwagon.
It's been mentioned on this thread that no prosecution for the actual rape was pursued ... because evidence is hard to produce in historic cases. Which was my point. It's got to incredibly hard to prove a chaps guilt beyond all reasonable doubt.
We also read last night that compensation lawyers acting for the victims got three new clients. Make of that what you will.
That is why I call it a farce.
Do you honestly think any of these court cases are going to be able to determine the actual, factual truth after all this time? The true numbers? The true extent of whether an offence was an opportunistic grope or a full fledged menacing or intimidating sexual assault.
As to your assumption that I have never been sexually abused.
True.
All I claim was an invasive though thorough grope around my nether regions in a department store during the crush of the January Sales ... aged 14 or 15. I identified the likely culprit and stood on his foot in my 5 inch heel boots and ground my heel in. Hard! The victim glared at me but said nothing and limped off.
It did not scar me for 30 years .. and I didn't report it. People didn't bother so much in days gone back.
If he had been a celebrity by now . .. could or should I report it to the police? My bank account is rather low in funds.
Or there was the time when my own brother pestered me to go to bed with him. This lasted for a period of nearly 12 months. Complete with opportunistic fumbles ... all under the guise of a brotherly tickle and hug. His objective, as he said .. was to help me overcome my shyness about losing my virginity and all I had to do was get undressed and get into bed and wait for him and we could just lie there, presumably like corpses on a slab.
Yes .. well .. even at age 15 I did not have a cabbage for a head.
I told him to stop pestering. I told my widowed mother who was absolutely shamed/embarrassed and horrified and who then refused to discuss it and I suspect even believe it of her eldest son (10 years my senior). It caused that much atmosphere and grief at home I said nothing more. I warned my brother I would go to the police. His attentions waned after that ... until when I got a boyfriend ... my brother even asked me if I'd like a threesome!
I left home. I didn't bother telling my mum.
End of.
It did not ruin my life and I have been able to enjoy happy relationships. Though I admit I spat on his grave when he died.
So as you see ... degree is all.
Am I saying any girl who was assaulted 20, 30 or 40 years ago should not feel she should have justice?
No.
I just think had they really wanted it they should have pursued the matter then or at any time in the following 20, 30 or 40 years when they've suffered emotional or psychological problems or felt their life has been ruined by this incident in the past.
And more importantly ... people like me would not feel their claims were open to doubt or interpretation of the Law.
Or put another way ...
If a young girl ran up to me in the street ... now ... and said she'd been assaulted I'd accompany her to the police station.
If a young girl ran up to me and said .. it happened 6 months to 2 years ago ... but she'd been afraid to report it .. I'd ask why? But accompany her to the police station.
If a middle aged woman said to me ... it happened 30 years ago .. I'd say .. that must have been terrible .. why didn't you report it ... and probably leave it at that if she said ... he put a hand up my skirt ... or fondled my breast and if she said .. no, it was rape ... I'd say to her ..then you should have shouted it from the rooftops or told the press no matter who the guy was.
Which doesn't mean I don't have sympathy for them. I'm just been realistic.
Determining the extend and severity of historic sex allegations stink.
If that is a crass opinion ... I still stand by it.