Lawyers wants Rolf Harris assets frozen

Potential victims of Rolf Harris should act to secure civil damages because the ex-entertainer may seek to lock up his fortune in trusts, a lawyer says.

Rolf Harris

Potential victims of Rolf Harris should act to secure civil damages before he protects his assets. (AAP)

Potential Rolf Harris sex abuse victims who seek civil damages have been advised to come forward quickly because of litigation time limits in Australia and the likelihood he will seek to protect his assets.

The London office of law firm Slater & Gordon has been contacted by 12 potential victims following Harris's conviction for indecently assaulting four girls in the UK between 1968 and 1986.

The dozen women were advised to contact police but the legal firm also plans to help them seek civil damages.

Slater & Gordon's Melbourne-based lawyer Barrie Woollacott said the fresh claims were being investigated carefully.

He told AAP one of his UK colleagues, who had been involved in the Jimmy Savile cases, planned to launch the High Court civil claim within weeks.

Noting two current and former Perth radio presenters had already come forward with groping allegations, Mr Woollacott urged any other potential victims in Australia to report the abuse to police, who would be as keen as UK authorities to investigate fresh claims.

"There are quite possibly victims here who have not made allegations about events with Rolf Harris before."

Mr Woollacott said they shouldn't delay coming forward due to time limits surrounding the civil litigation process and the likelihood the disgraced entertainer would seek to protect his sizeable fortune, estimated at some $20 million - all of which could go to his daughter Bindi.

"In order to ensure that that wealth remains available for the victims rather than being locked up in trusts or transferred, it's important proceedings commence quickly so a freeze on those assets can be ordered by the court," he said.

"He will want to protect his accumulated assets."

Mr Woollacott said the time limits could be extended in extenuating circumstances.

The level of abuse reported by the women was not yet fully clear, Mr Woollacott said.


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