Suzi Dent has vivid memories of what she calls "a bad day with a dirty old man".

Key points: Suzi Dent testified as an anonymous "bad character" witness at the trial of Rolf Harris

Suzi Dent testified as an anonymous "bad character" witness at the trial of Rolf Harris Harris was sentenced to almost six years' jail on 12 counts of indecent assault of girls and young women

Harris was sentenced to almost six years' jail on 12 counts of indecent assault of girls and young women Ms Dent has given up her anonymity to encourage others to speak out

That day was more than 30 years ago, and the man was disgraced entertainer and convicted paedophile Rolf Harris.

"I had an all-day groping experience with a man who couldn't keep his hands off me," she told 7.30.

"It shouldn't have happened; it was the workplace. He shouldn't have been allowed to touch me but he did."

Ms Dent was an anonymous character witness for the prosecution in Harris's trial on multiple sexual assault counts.

Now she has waived the anonymity the court granted her and is speaking publicly for the first time about that experience back in 1986.

'His nickname is the octopus'

Suzi Dent was a young make-up artist when she met Rolf Harris. ( Supplied: Suzi Dent )

Ms Dent was 24 years old and working as a make-up artist when she encountered Harris.

"I was booked for the job at Channel 7," she said.

"I knew I was going to be working with Rolf Harris. I was really excited because I'd watched him on black and white TV with the wobbleboard and he was very famous."

But from the moment he sat in the make-up chair her impression of him began to change.

"I was wearing baggy shorts, and he kept touching me," she said.

"He'd run both hands up my legs, right up to my thighs.

"I was wearing a leather belt. He would grab the belt and pull me towards him so he could crotch grind, which never quite happened but he certainly tried.

"Each time I went up to him he would touch me.

"He was enjoying it, nobody was stopping him. There were men in the studio watching and saying nothing."

Ms Dent felt there was no way she could react.

She felt powerless to respond to the unwelcome attentions of the international star she had to look after on set.

"Rule number one was you don't upset the talent," she said.

"So if I had said something to him or slapped his hand away, which I must add is not what women did in 1986, it was not acceptable behaviour for women to stand up for themselves like that, they had to cop it on the chin."

At the end of the day she mentioned what had happened to a colleague, only to be told, "Oh, I thought you knew, his nickname is the octopus. It's hands everywhere and he's fast".

'Bad character' witness

Rolf Harris leaves Southwark Crown Court in May 2017. ( Reuters: Neil Hall )

Twenty seven years later in 2013, Harris was charged in the UK with 12 counts of indecent assault of girls and a young woman.

Ms Dent was not surprised.

She immediately contacted the UK police to see if she could assist the prosecution.

"Me coming forward, it wasn't about me, it was a complete no-brainer, I had absolutely no choice," she said.

"I came forward for the women who were little girls when they were molested by Rolf Harris.

"They were little girls and there were other things that he did that he shouldn't have done, physical things, invasive things, that is just line crossing."

She travelled to London and, after being granted anonymity by the court, appeared as what was called a "bad character" witness for the prosecution during the trial.

"All I had to do was tell the truth about a man who couldn't keep his hands off me, and what it was like and how he behaved," Ms Dent said.

Harris has denied all allegations.

Suzi claims other character witnesses at the trial told of similar experiences.

"There are women from, I think, four or five different countries around the world who say that it did [happen] and we all had very similar stories," she said.

"I've never met any of the women."

Harris was found guilty on 12 counts of indecent assault and was sentenced to five years and nine months in jail. He has now been released on parole.

'Being honest and being brave'

Suzi Dent says writing about her experience is about being honest and brave. ( ABC News )

Taking part in the court case and telling her story in a book, Staring Down Rolf Harris, has been empowering for Ms Dent.

She has started working as a public speaker, MC and life coach, and wants other women to speak up about their own experiences.

"The book is kind of to help others — it's a story of transformation, about telling your truth and being honest and being brave," she said.

"It's great that the #metoo movement occurred.

"I want to encourage women to come forward and tell their stories.

"I know the defamation laws in this country are not in favour of that, but we can't go back and be quiet because change doesn't happen with silence.

"We have to speak up, we have to band together."

And what would she say to Harris now, given the chance?

"I'd say shame on you for taking advantage of young girls, for taking advantage of your position as a huge star," she said.