graham wrote: ↑Mon May 20, 2019 5:50 pm
I cant answer this question but my guess would be that it was a relatively small number. I think he was universally seen as weird, but in a funny rather than dangerous way. I can look back on his behavior, particularly interacting with us in the trebles, and see flags but as 11 or 12 years old we weren't looking for those and we just assumed he was this jovial, comic-book character of a priest or something.
Dobbie taught me Div in 84-85, some time before he began his offending (I think). He did seem weird then, but I agree with Graham - he was weird in the sense of being a caricature of a ridiculously posh person. Even with the benefit of hindsight, I'm not sure that I was aware of any danger there.
I can't say I thought that much of him, but then I didn't think that much of any of the chaplains or Div lessons for that matter. By and large a load of sanctimonious waffle often with a lot of focus about sex.
Would I have believed allegations against him at the time? I'd like to think so, but would I really? I didn't initially believe the allegations about Webb, and even when the stories became more numerous, didn't understand their seriousness or the damage that they would cause. I genuinely assumed that Webb would just be told to knock it off, and perhaps would have to cease being a housemaster.
Anyway, not sure where I'm going with this. But I doubt most pupils would have the foggiest idea what was happening. Not so much of an excuse for the other teachers, though, even back then.