Huw Edwards arrives at court this morning

Edwards was not only one of the most recognisable faces on television, but also the most trusted. He'd fronted a long succession of public events, from the Olympic Games and Trooping the Colour, to the Queen's ­Diamond and Platinum Jubilees, the weddings of Princes William and Harry, and the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh in 2021. Yet in the darker reaches of his soul, Huw Edwards had for years been harbouring an ugly secret. For despite the outwardly-orthodox nature of the family life, he was in fact a sexual predator with an unhealthy interest in boys.

For years ?

A paedophile is someone who is sexually interested in children, it isn't a crime in and of itself.
Just wanted to say that.

I watched a program on it and the 'experts' (therapists) on the program suggested there should be a push towards encouraging people to seek help. There was a young man on it who recognised he was a paedophile but sought therapy to help him deal with it, rather than offending as he knew it was wrong. I found it quite interesting

That's why use of the term paedophile is questionable, because understandably it has such terrible connotations.

It's all sickening, though.

Time and time again the BBC create such colussus, and then knowing about what they've indulged in, shield them from any scrutiny, Saville being the worst example. He remained the bogus national treasure created by the corporatuon and completely untouchable in his lifetime. They pay such people enormous amounts of public money. I think the public's patience with the BBC is beginning to wane, I do wonder if they can continue to exist in their present form, when they're being squeezed by alternative platforms.

The BBC should have sacked Huw Edwards immediately?

JaneJudge

I watched a program on it and the 'experts' (therapists) on the program suggested there should be a push towards encouraging people to seek help. There was a young man on it who recognised he was a paedophile but sought therapy to help him deal with it, rather than offending as he knew it was wrong. I found it quite interesting

The trouble is, the connotations for seeking help leave a person vulnerable for the rest of their lives. Imagine being seen visiting the clinic! I suppose it is easier with online sessions these days but it takes a very brave person to admit that they have these tendencies and to try to do something about them.

Why seek help ? On this thread seems it’s a choice

People can choose to act on their urges, or not.

If there is choice there is free will, why seek help ?

Because it's a heinous act, if anyone gives in to their urges, and illegal.

I'd seek help if I felt strongly that I was going to stab someone, or burn a house and its inhabitants.

Sorry but giving in is choosing ,

Oh, I agree.
It is.

What I find equally shocking and makes me as angry is that the person who sent these vile images was given a 12 month suspended sentence.Really ?for graphic moving images of children between 7 and 9.A similar age to our DCG.I could weep for those exploited children.

TerriBull

Time and time again the BBC create such colussus, and then knowing about what they've indulged in, shield them from any scrutiny, Saville being the worst example. He remained the bogus national treasure created by the corporatuon and completely untouchable in his lifetime. They pay such people enormous amounts of public money. I think the public's patience with the BBC is beginning to wane, I do wonder if they can continue to exist in their present form, when they're being squeezed by alternative platforms.

I agree 100% with your comment. I personally lost patience with the BBC several years ago and subsequently cancelled my licence and haven’t had one since. With so many other platforms out there which you can view on demand I can honestly say I haven’t missed it (or the other channels which I obviously also cannot watch live). It’s a shame as it was once a trusted and reliable source, sadly, with events like this and others, no longer.

icanhandthemback

JaneJudge

I watched a program on it and the 'experts' (therapists) on the program suggested there should be a push towards encouraging people to seek help. There was a young man on it who recognised he was a paedophile but sought therapy to help him deal with it, rather than offending as he knew it was wrong. I found it quite interesting

The trouble is, the connotations for seeking help leave a person vulnerable for the rest of their lives. Imagine being seen visiting the clinic! I suppose it is easier with online sessions these days but it takes a very brave person to admit that they have these tendencies and to try to do something about them.

Yes, this is what I was getting at earlier. If it is something that can't be helped (ie the condition, not the acting on it) then should the push be to help rather than punish, and remove some of the stigma? I don't know, as there have to be lines in the sand that people know they cross at their peril.

I think it should be possible to talk about it without hysteria though. The protection of children has to be the priority with no exceptions, but I wonder whether more children would be protected if potential abusers could get therapy without risking social exclusion and sanctions. I don't know the answer, but I think the question is worth asking.

Jimmy Savile springs to mind

It’s difficult getting alcoholics to attend A.A.

Anniebach

It’s difficult getting alcoholics to attend A.A.

Yes, which is why I think it must be even more difficult to get people to seek help for something much more taboo.

Almost impossible Doodledog

Help for people, most often men, who are sexually attracted to children is available and has been for years. It’s accessed via a GP. Mental health or children’s services social workers can help by making referrals

As Annie says, getting alcoholics/substance abusers to engage with therapy is difficult and that’s something many people understand on some levels

The research into outcomes following group therapy isn’t promising. My limited knowledge of individual treatment for men who have sexually abused children isn’t reassuring

I fear any attempt to reduce the social stigma can only result in more children at risk

About 2 years ago I was watching Huw Edwards reading the news. He had a particularly modern hair cut for a man of his age and standing and something quite strange went through my mind 'That's weird' but I put it to the back of my mind and thought 'Oh well, he is trying to be out there with the younger generation'. Perhaps our inner instincts do flag up base gut feelings and we ignore them because we think they are nonsense.

Your post Tuaim with respect is nonsense

I agree Anniebach! How silly.