FMS Foundation Newsletter

Magazine Overview

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter, dated December 5, 1992, focuses on the controversies surrounding recovered memories, particularly in the context of alleged child abuse. The newsletter aims to provide a platform for families affected by this phenomenon and to counter what it terms 'pseudoscientific traffic of confused ideas about memory.'

Key Articles and Themes

The Foundation's Mission and the Problem of False Memories

The newsletter opens with an anecdote from Rosemary, a parent, emphasizing the FMS Foundation's goal of reuniting families divided by recovered memories. It highlights the confusion among professionals and families regarding memory and practice, stressing basic truths about human suggestibility: people can have false memories, memory is not a perfect recording, and it is influenced by current emotions. The newsletter also points out that a person's or professional's fixed expectations can lead to validating false memories, and the way questions are asked can influence responses.

Critiques and Controversies

The "Our Critics" section addresses personal attacks and attempts to discredit the foundation. It notes that criticisms often mirror the 'hit and run' behavior of those who accuse and then disappear. The newsletter specifically responds to a letter in the November 1992 APS Observer by Dr. Kathy Pezdek, a psychologist who questioned the anecdotal nature of FMS evidence. The FMS Foundation invites Dr. Pezdek to engage with their work and thousands of stories, and to help define the phenomenon scientifically.

The newsletter discusses the broader societal context of child sexual abuse hysteria, suggesting that media and professional reactions can suspend critical thinking. It contrasts this with the FMS Foundation's approach, which seeks to address the issue of memory, suggestion, and evidence rather than jumping to conclusions.

The Nature of Memory and Therapeutic Practices

Several articles delve into the nature of memory and therapeutic practices. The newsletter questions the validity of 'recovered memories' of satanic ritual abuse and alien abduction, viewing them as potentially delusional. It critiques practices like age regression hypnosis and 'past life regression therapy,' asking if they are prudent or ethical. The FMS Foundation advocates for 'prudent practice' in therapy, which involves therapists avoiding bias and suggestion, and focusing on uncovering trauma without implanting ideas.

Personal Stories and Recanters

The newsletter includes personal stories from families affected by recovered memory accusations. Jane's story details how her daughter Louise became involved with a counselor who allegedly induced false memories of child abuse, leading to family estrangement. The newsletter also introduces 'recanters'—individuals who initially had recovered memories but later concluded they were false. Stories from Anna, Ellen, and Susan illustrate the personal toll and legal ramifications of these experiences, with Ellen even suing her therapist for inducing false memories.

The 'Incest Survivor' Movement and its Critics

The newsletter examines the 'incest survivor' movement, noting the split of the Survivors United group from the Kempe Children's Foundation. It questions the methods used in some survivor workshops, such as telling participants to 'act as if you are one' if unsure about being an incest survivor, and criticizes books that suggest happy memories are fantasy.

Calls to Action and Foundation Support

The newsletter encourages readers to write their stories, contact media and professional organizations, visit libraries, and talk with other families to raise awareness. It also appeals for financial support to continue its work, highlighting the Foundation's accomplishments in its first nine months and its ambitious plans for 1993.

Meetings and Notices

Information is provided about upcoming FMS Foundation meetings and conferences, including a 'Memory and Reality: Emerging Crisis' conference in April 1993.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Throughout the newsletter, a recurring theme is the distinction between genuine child abuse and the phenomenon of recovered memories, which the FMS Foundation views with skepticism regarding their accuracy and the therapeutic methods used to elicit them. The editorial stance is critical of certain therapeutic practices that may lead to false memories and family destruction, advocating for a more evidence-based and cautious approach to memory recovery. The foundation positions itself as a support for families caught in the middle of these complex and often devastating situations, aiming to foster understanding and reconciliation.