False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 10 No 05 - 2001 septoct

Magazine Overview

This issue of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF) Newsletter, dated September/October 2001, Volume 10, Number 5, addresses critical issues surrounding false memories, family estrangement, and therapeutic malpractice. The newsletter features research summaries, legal updates, personal testimonies, and commentary from FMSF leadership and contributing writers.

Dear Friends

The editorial opens with a poignant quote about the pain of family estrangement, setting the tone for the issue's focus on reconciliation. The FMSF has conducted a survey on family reconciliation dynamics, with preliminary results indicating that dads are implicated in over 75% of accusations, and about 90% of accusers are daughters. The peak period for accusations was between 1989 and 1994, with 1991-1992 being the peak years. A significant portion of accusers were in therapy at the time of the accusations, and about 18% involved claims of satanic ritual abuse. The age range for alleged abuse onset was 0-18 years, and for its ending was 1-50 years. The editorial notes the significant shift in public and professional discourse regarding memory, contrasting the early 1990s' prevailing view with the current landscape where novels and popular literature increasingly explore themes of memory and false memory.

Research on Memory and Trauma

The Cognitive Psychology of Repressed and Recovered Memories of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Clinical Implications by Richard J. McNally provides a summary of research comparing four groups of women: those with repressed memories, recovered memories, continuous memories, and a control group. The study found that the repressed memory group was the most psychologically distressed and dissociative. While recovered memory participants showed some resilience to guided imagery, they were susceptible to false memory effects in a false recognition task. The research also indicated that survivors of childhood sexual abuse with PTSD did not exhibit an enhanced ability to forget trauma-related material or show delayed color-naming of trauma words on the emotional Stroop task, contrary to some hypotheses.

A Demonstration and Comparison of Two Types of Inference-Based Memory Errors by Hannigan and Reinitz is summarized, detailing a study where participants filled in memory gaps based on narrative coherence, leading to claimed memories of events not originally presented. This research highlights how memory errors can occur when people infer causes of events.

Legal Updates and Case Reviews

Wenatchee Update: This section details a $3 million award to Honnah and Jonathan Sims, finding Douglas County and the city of Wenatchee negligent in sex-abuse investigations from 1994-1995. The article notes that many individuals convicted in the Wenatchee "sex ring" cases have since been freed. It also mentions ongoing investigations into Pastor Roby Roberson for alleged abuse involving his daughter.

Amirault Update: The Massachusetts Parole Board recommended commuting the sentence of Gerald "Tooky" Amirault, citing inconsistencies and doubts concerning his conviction. The ruling emphasized that his continued incarceration would constitute gross unfairness.

It's Never Too Late: This section highlights two cases where individuals filed lawsuits decades after alleged abuse occurred. One involves a man suing the Archdiocese of Portland for abuse in the 1940s, and another concerns a suit against a New Brunswick orphanage for abuse in the late 1930s and 1940s.

Victimized by 'Victims': A taxonomy of antecedents of false complaints against psychotherapists by Martin H. Williams analyzes reasons for false claims against therapists, including malingering, revenge, psychopathology, recovered memory, and escape from unwanted treatment.

Commentary and Editorial Stance

The Seeds that Spawned FMSF: Are They Still There? by Allen Feld argues that the underlying issues that led to the formation of FMSF, such as the abandonment of verifiable facts by some professionals and legal institutions, are still present. He expresses concern about continuing education programs that raise alarm and the persistence of psychoanalytic theories that may lead to the creation of false memories. Feld emphasizes the need for vigilance and a commitment to science-based practices.

From Canada: An editorial from the National Post argues that the theory of repressed memory is on "history's trash heap," citing mounting scientific research and the discrediting of leaders in the recovered memory movement.

From Our Readers: Several readers share their experiences and concerns. One describes a lawsuit for slander and libel against a sister who made accusations. Another recounts a situation where an accuser wants to return to her father, but he refuses unless she retracts her claims. "William" shares his experience of being accused by one of his four daughters and his decision to inform relatives and friends. A "Dad" describes his daughter's accusation of sexual abuse from when she was three years old, which surfaced as a dream after he disapproved of her boyfriend.

News from Sacramento Valley: This section reports on an annual group meeting where families gathered to connect and share experiences. A new daughter-father contact after 10 years is noted as a small breakthrough.

The Worst Experience: A reader shares that the separation from their first-born child due to accusations has been the worst experience of their lives.

We Ignored the Problem: Another reader describes how they largely ignored their accusing daughter's wedding invitation, having found reasoning with her unproductive.

My Story by Maxine Berry recounts her personal experience of being a survivor of false memory therapy. She details how her depression led to therapy that focused on alleged abuse by her father, influenced by her mother's beliefs. She highlights how her husband and family doctor helped her realize the falsity of these memories and how she subsequently filed a lawsuit. She expresses hope that sharing her story will prevent similar harm and raise awareness about the destructive potential of certain therapeutic approaches.

Theophostic Ministries: Mark Pendergrast expresses strong concern about Theophostic Ministries, founded by Ed Smith, which he believes promotes a form of recovered memory therapy that is not grounded in factual reality. Pendergrast criticizes Smith's cavalier attitude towards the truthfulness of memories and warns readers about this approach, especially its religious framing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistence of the false memory phenomenon, the challenges of family reconciliation in its wake, and the critical importance of scientific evidence in psychological and legal contexts. The FMSF maintains a stance that advocates for a science-based approach to memory and trauma, critically examining therapeutic practices that may lead to the creation of false memories. The newsletter consistently highlights legal cases and research that support this perspective, while also providing a platform for individuals affected by these issues to share their experiences. There is a strong emphasis on the need for professionals and institutions to uphold rigorous standards and avoid practices that can cause significant harm to families and individuals.

The FMS Foundation Newsletter, Volume 10, Number 5, dated September/October 2001, is a publication focused on issues related to False Memory Syndrome (FMS), recovered memory therapy, and child abuse allegations. The newsletter features personal accounts, professional perspectives, and information about FMS support groups and events.

Letters to the Editor

"A Dad"

This section features a letter from a reader who found a previous letter from "A Dad" to be very interesting and relatable. The writer, identifying as "Another Dad and Mom," shares their experience of being estranged from their son for 12 years after he accused them of molesting him when he was a child. They have moved on with their lives, no longer miss their son, and have removed him from their wills, stating they will not accept him back unless he grows up and recants his charges. They express that he has done too much harm, including an article in a church magazine, and that he seems to be converted to the recovered memory doctrine.

"A Dad" was Right

This letter is from a father who agrees with a previous letter titled "Safe Not Sorry." He reiterates the risks of renewed charges and potential lawsuits or criminal charges if contact is made without a retraction. He also expresses concern that if the daughter stops seeing her therapist, she might make new mistakes or seek reassurance that "it's not her fault" if life goes wrong.

A Mom

This letter is from a mother who found the letter from "A Dad" to be a "breath of fresh air." She relates to the feeling of not being alone in struggling with the idea of pretending that sad or bad things never happened. She acknowledges the risks and potential criminal charges outlined by "A Dad" and believes those who treat false memory accusations lightly do not understand the devastation.

Colleen from New Zealand

Colleen expresses her gratitude to "A Dad" for his help.

From Returner to Retractor

This letter details a family's experience with a daughter who, after six years of no contact, reconnected with her mother. Initially cordial, the daughter later made untrue accusations of physical abuse. The family's experience mirrored the concerns raised by "A Dad." The letter also mentions a Christmas card from the daughter expressing happiness that her mother was back in her life. However, after a period of unemployment and depression, the daughter was admitted to a hospital and subsequently made false accusations.

A Mom

This mother shares her family's journey of reconciliation after her daughter made false accusations of abuse. After years of no contact, the daughter re-established contact and eventually, after a visit and a letter from a friend, concluded that her memories of abuse were false, influenced by therapy. The family welcomed her back, and their relationship is now fully united and positive, with no mention of the past accusations.

Articles and Features

"The Truth and Hype of Hypnosis"

This section references an article by Michael R. Nash that appeared in the July issue of Scientific American, discussing hypnosis. A shortened version of the article is available online.

Eating Bones!

This is a humorous anecdote shared by a mother about a story her six-year-old daughter told her after school, involving a dead body and bones. The story highlights how children can create imaginative and sometimes disturbing narratives.

Loving but No Retraction

This letter expresses gratitude to the Foundation for its help to families affected by FMS. The writer mentions that their daughters returned in 1995, before their wife passed away. They have since remarried, and their fiancée informed her children about the FMS issue, which caused some stir. While generally accepted, one spouse's mother makes things difficult. The daughters have not retracted their accusations.

Great News.

This section announces that a friend of the Ohio group has made the newsletter available online, with a preview accessible via a provided web address.

[A] person's position toward UFOs and extraterrestrial beings...

This is a citation for a study by Patry, A.L. & Pelletier, L.G. on "Extraterrestrial beliefs and experiences" from the Journal of SI Psychology, April, 2001. It suggests that beliefs about UFOs are influenced by social interaction and media, and mediated by individual differences in vivid mental imagery.

Mr. Richard Trask (Historian)

This section includes a quote from Richard Trask, comparing modern "witch-hunts" to historical ones, specifically referencing the wave of child abuse prosecutions in the 1980s. He notes the lack of physical evidence in some cases and the manipulation of children, drawing parallels to the witchcraft accusations of 1692.

Tovia Smith (Reporter)

This section features a quote from Tovia Smith, a reporter, who uses the example of child abuse prosecutions to illustrate Trask's point about modern "witch-hunts."

Events and Meetings

Annual Meeting of Ontario and Quebec Families, Friends and Professionals

This announces a meeting on "RECONCILIATION AND EXONERATION: Where do we stand? What can be done?" to be held on Saturday, November 3, 2001, in Toronto, Canada. Contact details are provided.

Illinois-Wisconsin FMS Society Meeting

This announces a meeting on Saturday, October 13, 2001, in Bloomington, Illinois, featuring presentations on "History of 3rd-Party Lawsuits" and "Current Litigation in Illinois and Texas." Contact information is provided.

From Rumor to Reason: Accusations of Child Sexual Abuse: Current Scientific, Legal, and Cultural Perspectives

This announces a one-day seminar on November 17, 2001, at the University of Vermont, offering continuing education credit. The seminar will cover topics such as memory creation, suggestibility, and the legal system. Contact information is provided.

Child Abuse Allegations in the Courts: Science & Reason vs. Myth & Emotion

This announces the 10th NCADRC conference in Reno, Nevada, from October 17-19, 2001. The conference focuses on children, child suggestibility, and special laws. It lists several speakers and their topics, including Carol Tavris, William Friedrich, Debra Poole, Melvin Guyer, Phillip Esplin, Nancy Diehl, and Richard Ofshe. Contact information is provided.

Bulletin Board and Contacts

This extensive section lists contact information for FMS support groups and meetings across the United States, Canada, Australia, Israel, Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It includes names, phone numbers, and meeting times for various local chapters and affiliated organizations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the devastating impact of false memory accusations on families, the challenges of reconciliation, and the importance of critical evaluation of recovered memory claims. The FMS Foundation's stance, as indicated by the content, is to support families affected by FMS, provide a platform for sharing experiences, and offer resources for understanding and addressing these issues. There is a clear emphasis on the potential for false memories to be created through therapy and the legal ramifications thereof. The inclusion of UFO-related content suggests a broader interest in anomalous experiences and their potential connection to psychological phenomena, though the primary focus remains on FMS.