Absolutely. It was the 60's, remember. A different time. Schoolmasters were known to be "dodgy". People just rolled their eyes and did nothing.
Back in the era when Clint in High Plains Drifter raped a girl in the barn, he looked smug, and she went gooey eyed.
Waterhole no3, Soldier Blue, Straw Dogs James Bond even... Stuart Hall, Saville, Rolf Harris all started back then. Other DJ's were accused. DLT was one. Cliff Richard another - it was assumed he was dodgy, but apparently not.
It was an era when it was actually respected or romanticised, to be "getting away with things" with a snigger.
In public/boarding schools you got abused routinely, ask Stephen Fry, Ian Hislop, et al. A hangover of "fagging" from which the term comes. Not to mention churches
I remember an old schoolmaster who would go along the row of cubicles in the swimming baths peering definitely DOWN to assess all the boys.
My late wife talked of a male teacher who would walk along a row of seated girls brushing against their bums. And a woman who sat and watched them get changed.
Another lad I remember was made to jump up and down in the changing room shower because he'd sneaked through it without getting too wet. . The ex-army Teacher obviously enjoyed watching him "flopping"
It was everywhere. Offices, back rows of the cinema, and on and on. Victims, usually female, were "causing trouble" if they complained, or classed as frigid.
One of my first work colleagues was ex Navy, born around 1915-20. Many stories of "Initiations" came up - nuff said. I imagine much of that is gone now.
I find it almost amusing when - usually girls - think it's a new thing when the press gets hold of something.
"The good old days" were pretty nauseating, even without the dentistry.
If you campaigned that "the law should treat everyone the same", you'd likely find out how it didn't...
