False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 13 No 04 - 2004 julyaug

Magazine Overview

This issue of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF) Newsletter, dated July/August 2004, Volume 13, Number 4, addresses the ongoing debate surrounding memory, particularly in cases of alleged trauma and child abuse. The newsletter highlights research that questions the reliability of memory under stress and the concept of repression, while also examining legal cases and the dynamics of therapeutic relationships.

Key Articles and Discussions

The Memory Wars and New Studies

The editorial notes that the debate over whether significant trauma enhances or hinders memory is ongoing, with a new study by Charles Morgan (page 3) powerfully demonstrating that severe trauma interferes with memory. This study, involving soldiers in military survival schools subjected to intense interrogations, found that physical threats significantly impaired recognition of interrogators and even led to gender misidentification. The findings cast doubt on the reliability of victim testimonies in cases involving psychological trauma.

Another article discusses a paper by Garry and Loftus in The Skeptical Inquirer, which suggests that claims about repression in the Anderson papers go beyond the data. The FMSF Newsletter also features an essay by FMSF Advisor Spencer Harris Morfit on personal responsibility in therapy. Morfit points to the lack of oversight in psychotherapy, citing the case of Dr. Bennett Braun and social worker Dorothy Neddermeyer, who continue to offer services despite past issues. He also references the case of Brandon Bays, who claims to have cured cancer by addressing "old emotional patterns and memories stored in her cells."

The newsletter highlights a significant number of child abuse cases, including the Kelly Michaels and Amirault cases, and the Wenatchee situation, noting that this issue has a particular focus on child-related cases.

Repression Mechanism Found? Maybe Not

This section critically examines studies by Michael Anderson and Collin Green, which suggested a "suppression mechanism" that pushes unwanted memories out of awareness, akin to Freudian repression. Garry and Loftus argue that these claims are unwarranted, citing several points:

1. The studies do not involve trauma or PTSD.
2. McNally's research shows trauma survivors are not better at rejecting unpleasant memories.
3. Anderson's studies concern mundane words, not traumatic events, and Schacter questions the relevance to Freudian repression.
4. Larry Squire suggests neuroimaging results could reflect attention direction rather than repression.
5. Replications by Bulevich, Roediger, and Balota have failed to consistently find the memory suppression effect, suggesting it may be fragile and unlike robust repression.

Extreme Stress Limits Memory

This article details Charles A. Morgan III's study, which investigated eyewitness memory accuracy under intense stress. The findings suggest that highly stressful situations impair memory accuracy, settling the argument that intense personal trauma leads to better memories. The study involved soldiers undergoing capture training and intense interrogations. Results showed significantly lower accuracy in identifying interrogators and recognizing details, casting "significant doubt on the reliability of all victim testimonies in cases involving psychological trauma."

Excerpts from Child Maltreatment 2002: Key Findings

This section presents statistics from the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information. In 2002, 2.6 million referrals concerning child welfare were made, with 1.8 million accepted for investigation. An estimated 896,000 children were victims of abuse or neglect, a decrease from previous years. However, about 70% of reports were unsubstantiated, meaning two million innocent families were falsely accused. The commentary by Howard Fishman points out that the data doesn't mention a decrease in reports compared to 1997 and highlights the "rampant child abuse hysteria." Fishman criticizes the system for focusing on removing children rather than providing social services, and notes that state officials hide behind confidentiality laws regarding children in state care, who are at increased risk.

Key points from the data include:

• Children in state care face increased risks of injury, molestation, and death.
• 40-60% of children killed by caregivers were already known to child protection authorities.
• Approximately one-third to one-half of "founded" cases result in no culpability, leading to an "error rate" or false accusation rate of 80-85%.
• Sexual abuse is reported in only 10% of child abuse cases, and less than 3% of parental abusers are associated with sexual abuse.
• Many child protection agencies have high caseworker turnover rates, and some caseworkers may be unfamiliar with professional literature, leading to suggestive questioning techniques similar to those used in "recovered memory therapists."

Essay on Personal Responsibility

Spencer Harris Morfit discusses the FMSF's efforts to raise awareness about "false" or "recovered" memory and the role of suggestion in therapy. He argues for greater professional responsibility among therapists. Morfit then shifts focus to the client's side, questioning whether individuals have a responsibility to avoid surrendering self-sovereignty to therapists. He notes that most accusations in these cases come from women and invites readers to consider why women might be more prone to this surrender. Morfit uses the case of Dr. Bennett Braun, who settled multiple malpractice suits and had his license suspended, yet continues to practice. He emphasizes the "buyer beware" lesson, drawing parallels to financial experts and the FDA. Morfit advocates for teaching people to think for themselves and build self-confidence to resist unreasonable statements.

Recovering from Recovered Memories

Mark Pendergrast's final installment discusses the difficulty of retracting deeply held "recovered memories," using the concept of cognitive dissonance developed by Leon Festinger. He explains that the mind struggles to hold two conflicting realities simultaneously, leading individuals to cling to one belief system to avoid mental chaos. Pendergrast uses the example of Betty O'Connor, who was led to believe she was a victim of incest. He notes that once someone identifies as an "incest survivor," it becomes unbearable to consider they might be wrong. The "social group" plays a role in reinforcing these beliefs. Pendergrast also recounts Elizabeth Loftus's experiment where subjects easily developed false memories of being lost in a mall, highlighting how suggestible people can become, especially when vulnerable and seeking answers.

He concludes that "recovered memory therapy" generally makes people worse, leading to misery, rage, and relationship breakdown. He offers hope, suggesting that those who have recovered from these memories can reclaim their lives by returning to reality and building self-scrutiny skills. The section also includes a "Paper of Interest" by Allen Esterson dissecting a BBC radio program on Freud and hysteria.

Legal Corner

This section covers two Washington appellate decisions that give falsely accused individuals better prospects for recovering damages from Child Protective Services (CPS) and police.

• Incomplete investigation renders CPS liable: In *Tyner v. Dept. of Social and Health Services*, the Washington Supreme Court reinstated a verdict against CPS for separating a father from his children, finding the caseworker's failure to speak with identified witnesses and report all findings negligent.
• Police also liable for negligent investigation: In *Rodriguez v. Perez*, concerning the Wenatchee "child sex abuse ring" investigation, the court reversed the dismissal of claims against police, ruling that a statute created a protected class, giving police a legal duty to investigate properly for the benefit of children and their parents.

John Stoll Released

John Stoll, convicted on 17 counts of child molestation and serving nearly 20 years, was released after Kern County Judge John Kelly overturned his conviction. The judge noted the lack of physical evidence and that six children who accused Stoll had been coerced, with four later testifying they had lied. Stoll was one of 30 people convicted in the Kern County "child abuse hysteria" of the early 1980s. The California Innocence Project was instrumental in his release.

Outreau Case in France

The largest pedophilia case ever presented in France collapsed when the main witness admitted to lying. The case involved harrowing stories of abuse, but defense lawyers questioned how expert psychologists deemed the children's accounts "credible" despite factual discrepancies. France is now facing scrutiny over how such a case was taken so seriously.

Amirault Update

Gerald "Tooky" Amirault was released from prison after 18 years. He thanked families for their support and spoke of preventing future miscarriages of justice. The newsletter notes that Susan J. Kelley, the child interviewer involved in the case, is now Dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Georgia State University and continues to publish on ritual abuse.

An editorial from The Wall Street Journal reflects on the Amirault prosecution, driven by "passions of the times" and the belief that "child victims" must be believed at all costs. It criticizes how the law was manipulated, placing the burden of proof on the accused and using "incredible fantasies" as evidence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The FMSF Newsletter consistently critiques the "recovered memory" movement and its impact on individuals and the legal system. The publication emphasizes the unreliability of memory, particularly under stress or suggestion, and highlights cases where false accusations have led to severe injustices. The editorial stance advocates for critical thinking, professional accountability in therapy, and a cautious approach to claims of repressed memories, especially in child abuse allegations. The newsletter also points to the systemic failures within child welfare programs and the legal system that can perpetuate miscarriages of justice. There is a strong undercurrent of concern about the potential for "junk psychology" to cause significant harm.

Title: FMS Foundation Newsletter
Issue Date: July/August 2004
Volume: 13
Issue Number: No. 4

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter focuses on the controversial topic of repressed memory and its impact on individuals and families. It features personal accounts, legal discussions, and resources related to false memory syndrome.

Repressed Memory Therapy Not Extinct

This section details a personal account from a father whose daughter, experiencing depression, was suggested by her therapist to undergo 'Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing' (EMDR) therapy for repressed childhood abuse, despite the daughter having no recollection of any such abuse. The father expresses concern that repressed memory therapy is still prevalent.

No Mention of the Past

This is a personal narrative from a father whose family experienced a severe rift when his daughter, at age twenty-three, accused him and her siblings of sexual abuse. The accusation, made during a meeting with an unlicensed therapist, led to the daughter cutting off contact with her family for over thirteen years. Despite attempts at communication, including letters and gifts, the family received hate mail and unanswered calls. The father mentions suing the therapist in federal court, but they lost the case, with the daughter siding with the therapist. After thirteen years, the daughter reinitiated contact, and while the family is cautiously optimistic, some siblings are still affected by the past hurt.

The father expresses gratitude to the FMSF for its support and inspiration during this difficult period.

Why I Sued My Daughter

This article is written by a father who sued his daughter after she accused him of molesting her between the ages of 9 to 15. The accusation surfaced when the father and his ex-wife were reconciling after their divorce. The ex-wife stated she did not believe the accusations were true due to her being a light sleeper and the proximity of other family members. The father underwent a polygraph test, which found no deception, and was also evaluated by a forensic psychiatrist who found no evidence of pedophilia. The daughter's accusations prevented him from seeing his grandchildren. He offered his daughter two choices: recant her accusation or take a polygraph test with the same polygrapher, with him posting a $50,000 bond. When she refused, he decided to sue to clear his name and restore his family. He thanks the Foundation for its efforts and the priceless information provided.

Book and Documentary Reviews

Victims of Memory: Sex Abuse Accusations and Shattered Lives by Mark Pendergrast: This book is described as an impressive and comprehensive treatment of the recovered-memories controversy, offering a broader portrayal of the social and cultural contexts and a sympathetic view of recovery therapists, while acknowledging the potential for drama to veer out of control.

Remembering Trauma by Richard McNally: This book is highly recommended as a comprehensive review of research about trauma and memory.

Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology edited by S. O. Lilienfeld, S.J. Lynn and J.M. Lohr: This book is also highly recommended.

Hungry for Monsters: A documentary film by George Paul Csicsery is reviewed. It tells the story of Nicole Althaus, who accused her father of sexual abuse. Initially believed, Nicole embellished her accusations, leading to more arrests. However, all charges were eventually dropped, and Nicole admitted her accusations were false. She later sued the authorities, claiming they abused her. The VHS is available for purchase.

Conferences and Resources

12th International Conference of the National Child Abuse Defense & Resource Center: This conference, titled 'CHILD ABUSE ALLEGATIONS: Separating Fact from Fiction,' was scheduled for October 14-16, 2004, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was aimed at professionals dealing with child abuse cases.

The Rutherford Family Speaks to FMS Families: A video is mentioned that covers the story of the Rutherford family's experience with accusation, retraction, and reconciliation, offering insights into coping and reuniting.

Web Sites of Interest: A list of websites is provided, covering topics such as false memory reading groups, memory exhibits, French and Dutch language resources, legal sites related to abuse, and organizations like the National Child Abuse Defense & Resource Center.

Legal Web Sites of Interest: A list of legal resources is provided, including caseassist.com, findlaw.com, legalengine.com, accused.com, and abuse-excuse.com.

FMSF Bulletin Board

This section provides contact information for FMS Society meetings and contacts across the United States, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It also includes a deadline for submitting notices for the September/October newsletter.

FMS Foundation Information

The final pages contain copyright information, contact details for the FMS Foundation, information on how to receive the newsletter via email, and a section encouraging contributions to the Foundation, with options for payment via Visa, Mastercard, or check/money order. The Scientific and Professional Advisory Board is also listed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the impact of false memory syndrome and recovered memory therapy, particularly concerning accusations of child abuse within families. The FMS Foundation's stance appears to be critical of therapies that may lead to the creation or reinforcement of false memories, advocating for a more evidence-based approach and supporting families affected by such accusations. The newsletter provides a platform for personal testimonies, legal challenges, and resources that question the validity of recovered memories and advocate for due process and factual accuracy in abuse allegations.