Charles Harter was a music, mathematics and drama teacher.
Charles Harter was a music, mathematics and drama teacher.
There must have been a sense of relief from all affected by the disgusting behaviour of former school teacher Charles Harter when he pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting his female students.
The relief would have been because an early guilty plea by the 63-year-old former Havelock North Primary School teachermeant his innocent young victims did not have to go through the horror of testifying at his trial.
Harter was a music, mathematics and drama teacher who taught students from his home studio and, between October 2012 and June 2014, also taught music and drama at the primary school.
He has admitted nine counts of indecent assaults against nine young girls aged 7 to 12. He inappropriately touched his students over and under their school uniforms.
This case must have been a nightmare for the children, parents and the school. Credit must go to those brave little girls who had the courage to tell adults what Harter was doing to them. The school also deserves praise for applying to the court for name suppression to be lifted so people would know who Harter was.
Havelock North Primary School could have been excused if it had tried to keep its name out of this sorry saga but it realised the right thing to do was to make this as public as possible so other potential victims would take courage and come forward.
Hopefully other victims will find the strength to speak up so that justice can be done and they and the other victims can finally begin the healing process.
