Dick, you should be aware that the kind of behaviour which is being discussed on this thread is not necessarily anything which can be dealt with by any court. The events will be between two people, generally without witnesses, and may not be considered rape or any kind of obvious sexual abuse but which are, nonetheless, abusive and exploitative. Names have not been named, and there is no question of a "kangaroo court", or judgement by Mudcat. Because something is not necessarily subject to legal action or proof does not make it something which disappears or is negligeable in its effects on the person exploited. It takes a huge amount of courage for anyone to speak out about this stuff and you have only to look at a small amount of the literature about even serious cases of rape, child abuse, and other sexual abuse to know that only a tiny percentage of these cases ever reach the ears of the police, social workers, legal experts or anyone who is supposed to "judge" - mostly because it is deeply humiliating for the recipient of the abuse (I'm trying not to use the word "victim" here) to talk about it and be questioned about it. So that's why I wrote as I did. None of the young women who have been writing recently about their experiences are looking for prosecutions, but they are explaining why they do not feel safe in the folk world. Nor were they necessarily children in the eyes of the law when this all took place - this is not about Dave Cooper or Noel Murphy,although you seem determined to mention them. No one is saying either, by the way, that the folk world is the only place this happens - of course it isn't. But we are a community which prides itself on liberal, tolerant and forward-thinking attitudes, and these predators have been able to continue without challenge.
It's also worth noting that none of the personal accounts are naming names. I really can't understand why you feel insulted, Dick. By the way, I feel insulted that you can't even be bothered to spell my name correctly. If you are not participating in the behaviour or covering up for someone else, then clearly my remarks are not addressed to you personally. I do, though, have experience which you do not, and cannot, share, and I do know what I'm talking about - which I suspect you do not. Have you actually read the accounts of the women which started this thread?
I note that the EFDSS have reacted to these issues. Equity have had to make policy statements. I'm sure the MU also have a policy too - but of course the predators are unlikely to take note of this or feel it applies to them. This is about prominent musicians, organisers and agents using their status, position, charisma and personal charm to take advantage of women, some of whom may be aspiring professionals themselves and some of whom may be members of audiences or workshops. All the stories I have heard relate to male predators and female "targets", and a heterosexual relationship, although I am fully aware that other possibilities exist. If you, personally, have never come across anything that fits this description, consider yourself lucky (and probably male). Many of us women know the situation all too well, but we haven't talked about it much before and we should have done. Start listening to the women.