politics
ABC Documentary Examines Rolf Harris Allegations in Australia
A two-part ABC documentary features interviews with Australian women who say they were assaulted by entertainer Rolf Harris. The program addresses claims that were never prosecuted in Australia despite occurring there.
May 27, 3:30 PM·1m read1 source
The Sydney Morning HeraldAudio version
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m. on ABC and ABC iview. The program presents accounts from Australian women who say they were assaulted by Harris before his 2014 conviction in Britain. The documentary's executive producer states that many of the alleged offences occurred in Australia but were never prosecuted here.
Several women who appear in the film are now in their 50s and 60s and describe long-term effects including guilt and loss of trust.
Background on the British Case In 2014 a British court sentenced Harris to prison after finding him guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault committed between 1969 and 1986. One complainant was an Australian teenager assaulted in London in 1986. The documentary uses archival footage to contrast Harris's public performances with the allegations.
It also notes that Harris appeared in Australian child-protection campaigns during the same period.
Production began about four years ago.
The executive producer says the project aims to give the women an opportunity to describe events that were never examined in an Australian court. A helpline number is provided at the end of the program.
