False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 10 No 01 - 2001 janfeb

Magazine Overview

Title: FMS Foundation Newsletter
Issue Date: January/February 2001
Volume: 10
Issue Number: No. 1

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter addresses the ongoing challenges and research surrounding False Memory Syndrome (FMS). The editorial highlights the Foundation's continued commitment to facilitating communication and reconciliation within families affected by accusations of abuse based on recovered memories. It notes that while the number of new cases has decreased, the issue remains significant, with ongoing legal battles and the need for public awareness.

Editorial and Foundation Focus

The editorial, signed by "Pamela," expresses hope for the year 2001 to be a year when the FMS problem fades, but acknowledges the continued need for the Foundation's work. The primary focus for the year is to encourage communication between accusers and their parents, believing that open dialogue can lead to reconciliation. The editorial points out that demonizing someone who is not present is easy, but difficult to maintain when experiencing a loved one's love. The Foundation is still receiving calls from individuals affected by accusations based on recovered memories, underscoring the ongoing need for support.

Research and Scientific Understanding

The newsletter presents several research findings and articles that question the validity and reliability of recovered memories. A key piece discusses the consensus on false (recovered) memories, citing Knapp & VandeCreek, which states that while child abuse is prevalent, satanic or ritualistic abuse is rare. It emphasizes that memories from infancy are unreliable and false memories can be created. The article "Still Need for Foundation" details a newspaper article in St. Petersburg that generated calls to the Foundation, illustrating that families are still seeking help.

Another section reviews the book "Stranger in the Mirror: Dissociation: The Secret Epidemic of Our Times" by Marlene Steinberg and Maxine Schnall. The review, referencing an article by Elizabeth Loftus in Psychology Today, criticizes Steinberg's work for promoting a discredited diagnostic tool and potentially implanting false memories. The review highlights Loftus's concern that the book could lead to accusations against innocent individuals.

Research by Mazzoni, Loftus, and Kirsch is discussed, demonstrating that people can be led to believe implausible events, such as incest, through suggestive influence. This research is presented as important for families falsely accused of incest.

Further research abstracts cover topics such as the psychophysiology of trauma, the nature of false memories over time, and the link between depression and childhood sexual abuse. A UK study challenges beliefs about child abuse, finding that physical abuse is more common than sexual abuse, and father-daughter incest is rare.

Legal Cases and Updates

The "Legal Corner" section details several legal cases related to false memory accusations. These include:

• Kristi Jones v. Dorothy Lurie: A psychotherapist was found not responsible for a patient's anguish after helping her recover false memories of murder and cannibalism.
• Johnson v. Rogers Memorial Hospital: A lawsuit concerning injuries after a daughter accused parents of abuse while being treated by therapists.
• Wenatchee Update: The release of Mike Rose, a sex ring prisoner, and the pending rehearing of Bob Devereaux's civil-rights lawsuit.
• Harold and Idella Everett: Parental rights restored for four children after daughters recanted accusations.
• The Innocence Project: Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld's work using DNA testing to free the wrongly convicted is highlighted, with a call for a state commission to reinvestigate mid-1990s child sex-abuse cases.
• Bernard Baran: A case where a teenager was convicted of child sexual abuse based on questionable testimony and accusations.
• Ray and Shirley Souza: A family convicted of child sexual abuse based on accusations from their daughters, despite a lack of physical evidence.
• Bruce Clairmont: A case involving accusations of child sexual abuse stemming from a child's behavior, leading to a conviction.

These cases illustrate the devastating consequences of potentially false accusations and the legal battles faced by those accused.

Reader Contributions and Personal Stories

The "From Our Readers" section features personal accounts:

• The Phone Rang: A parent shares a hopeful story of reconciliation after nearly eleven years of no contact with two daughters.
• What a Way for a Return: A parent recounts the devastating experience of their daughter becoming involved with a psychic therapist promoting repressed memory therapy, leading to estrangement, and eventual reconciliation after the parent was diagnosed with cancer.
• Personal Survey: A brief survey of family members' awareness of the recovered/false memory problem, noting that women in churches were more aware than men.

Other News and Notes

• New Zealand FMS Group Closes Its Doors: The organization COSA, formed to address allegations of sexual abuse arising from recovered memory therapy, has ceased operations due to a significant decrease in new cases.
• Menninger Clinic Relocating: The Menninger Clinic is moving from Topeka, Kansas, to Houston as part of a partnership, facing financial challenges due to insurance restrictions.
• Correction: A correction is noted regarding the circumstances of a suicide related to recovered memory therapy.
• Special Thanks: Acknowledgment is given to individuals who helped prepare the newsletter, including editorial support, columnists, and readers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unreliability of recovered memories, the potential for false memories to be created through therapy, the devastating impact of such accusations on families, and the ongoing legal struggles of those accused. The FMS Foundation maintains a stance of advocating for critical evaluation of recovered memories, promoting communication and reconciliation, and raising public awareness about the potential pitfalls of recovered memory therapy. The editorial suggests that while the volume of accusations may have decreased, the underlying issues may still be severe, possibly due to therapists modifying their techniques.

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter, Vol. 10 No. 1, dated January/February 2001, focuses on the complexities and controversies surrounding 'repressed memories' and false accusations within families. The cover story, 'Is This Normal?', delves into a personal account of a daughter who, after years of silence, renewed accusations of physical and sexual abuse against her mother and grandmother, despite previous communication having improved. The newsletter also features personal stories of reconciliation and recovery from the impact of such accusations, alongside discussions on the legal and therapeutic systems involved.

Personal Accounts and Recoveries

'Is This Normal?' and Family Estrangement

The lead article details a father's bewilderment as his 28-year-old daughter, who had previously made accusations of abuse, renewed them after a trip to India. This occurred despite a period of warming relations and improved communication. The daughter, now 38, has never married, and her siblings do not support her claims, leading to a complete lack of communication within the family. The article questions the normality and frequency of such situations.

John Einen's Story: From Agony to Recovery

A poignant account is shared by a friend of John Einen, detailing his struggle after his daughter's accusations led to his wife filing for divorce. Einen was in deep despair, contemplating suicide, and was introduced to the FMS Foundation. The Foundation's support, particularly through Chuck Noah, helped him recover. The friend highlights John's integrity and love for his family, noting that his oldest daughter, while maintaining contact, believed the FMSF was a cult and did not help him address the accusations. In his final days, John expressed confusion about the accusations, stating he had done nothing wrong, and an argument ensued regarding the False Memory Foundation.

A Daughter's Apology and Reconciliation

Another personal narrative describes a daughter's phone call to her father, apologizing for accusations made against the family and for any pain caused. She had begun to doubt her accusations about two years prior, finding new friends who supported her doubts. Her therapist dropped her, but she met a man, fell in love, and married. Her husband encouraged her to reconnect with her family. She had not spoken to her sister, who had not supported her charges, for years. The father expresses disbelief and joy at this reconciliation, calling it a miracle.

Critiques and Systemic Issues

Is the FMSF Antipsychiatric?

A letter to the editor questions whether the FMS Foundation is becoming a mouthpiece for an 'antipsychiatric crusade,' diverting from its original purpose. The writer notes the reprinting of Paul McHugh's statement, which they see as an attack on Freud and the American Psychiatric Association, rather than a discussion of forgotten memories.

Don't Condemn All: The Role of Dependency Courts

This section clarifies the functions of dependency courts and volunteers like CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and GAL (Guardian ad Litem). The writer, a father previously featured in the newsletter, explains that these volunteers do not accuse parents of crimes but work to ensure the child's well-being while in shelter care. Their goal is to help parents reunite with their children by developing case plans that often involve rehabilitation programs. The article emphasizes that dependency arises from information provided to child protection teams, not from false accusations by volunteers. It also notes that the term 'repressed memory' was not mentioned at a recent conference attended by hundreds of legal and social work professionals.

The Crisis in Foster Care

An excerpt from Timothy Roche's article in Time magazine highlights the escalating crisis in the foster care system. The number of children in foster care has doubled to over half a million, with many held hostage by abuse, neglect, and bureaucratic failures. The article suggests that the incidence of neglect and abuse in foster care is significantly higher than in the general population, though accurate counts are not kept.

Resources and Information

Publications and Websites

The newsletter reviews several books and resources related to false memories and psychotherapy, including 'Making Monsters: False Memories, Psychotherapy, and Sexual Hysteria' by Richard Ofshe and Ethan Watters, and 'Psychology Astray: Fallacies in Studies of "Repressed Memory" and Childhood Trauma' by Harrison G. Pope, Jr., M.D. It also lists legal websites of interest and provides information on how to obtain back issues of the FMSF Newsletter and books from Upton Books.

FMSF Membership and Contact Information

Information is provided on yearly FMSF membership, including subscription rates for the newsletter. Contact details for the FMS Foundation's offices in Philadelphia are listed, along with a new address and phone numbers. The Scientific and Professional Advisory Board is also detailed, listing numerous professionals in psychology, psychiatry, and related fields.

Bulletin Board

The bulletin board section lists contacts and meeting information for FMSF chapters across the United States and internationally, including Canada, Australia, Israel, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It also includes a deadline for submitting notices for the next newsletter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter strongly advocates for a critical examination of 'repressed memory' claims and the therapeutic practices associated with them. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards certain psychological theories, particularly Freudianism, and a concern that the field of psychology is resistant to critical appraisal. The newsletter champions the cause of individuals and families affected by false accusations, highlighting the importance of support groups like the FMSF. It also critiques the broader societal issues related to child welfare, such as the foster care system, and aims to provide resources and information to those affected by or interested in the false memory phenomenon. The overall tone is one of advocacy for a more evidence-based and less susceptible approach to memory and trauma in psychological practice and legal proceedings.