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False Memory Syndrome
Clinical Practice Issues
False Memory Syndrome Facts Website
See the website of Kenneth S. Pope, Ph.D., ABPP, Abuse, Memory, Science and Malpractice for information about his two articles, Memory, Abuse, and Science: Questioning Claims About the False Memory Syndrome Epidemic (1996),
and its follow-up, Science As Careful Questioning: Are Claims Of A False Memory
Syndrome Epidemic Based On Empirical Evidence?
Traumatic Amnesia: The Evolution of Our Understanding From a Clinical and Legal Perspective, by Charles L. Whitfield, MD.
Originally published in Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 4, 2, 1997.
While some accused and convicted child molesters have inappropriately influenced the media, the public, and many
in the clinical and legal professions by claiming that traumatic amnesia does not occur in child sexual abuse,
workers in the field of trauma psychology have accumulated solid empirical evidence over the past 100 years that it
does occur and is common. Its existence and natural history are documented throughout the clinical literature. This
review describes extensive evidence that traumatic amnesia is a real part of the effects and the natural history of
child sexual abuse.
-- Charles L. Whitfield, MD
Read about the Special Edition of Ethics & Behavior -- A must-read
for anyone concerned with the issue of recovered memories.
Pope, Kenneth S. and Brown, Laura. Recovered Memories of Abuse : Assessment,
Therapy, Forensics. (1996: American Psychological Association.)
Anna Salter's website features "Training, Consulting and Publications
on Sexual Abuse, Sex Offenders and Victimization." Includes a PowerPoint presentation on the use of actuarial science to predict recidivism by sexual offenders.
From
The False Memory Debate: Social Science or Social Backlash?
by Judith L. Herman and Mary R. Harvey, The Harvard Mental Health Letter, Vol. 9, No. 10, April, 1993.
The notion that therapists can implant scenarios of horror in the minds of their patients is easily
accepted because it appeals to common prejudices. It resonates with popular fears of manipulation
by therapists and popular stereotypes of women as irrational, suggestible, or vengeful. It appeals to
the common wish to deny or minimize the reality of sexual violence. In actuality, false claims of
childhood sexual abuse are demonstrably rare, and false memories of childhood trauma are no
doubt equally so. The evidence comes from epidemiological research, investigations of sexual abuse
reports, and studies on the nature of traumatic memory.
-- Herman and Harvey
The Treating Abuse Today website offers several relevant articles by Stephanie J. Dallam, RN, MSN, FNP:
Is there a false memory epidemic?
"...The FMSF's 2,056 unsubstantiated reports of 'false memory' must be
understood in relation to the estimated millions of cases of sexual abuse and subsequent
traumatic amnesia in our society. Rather than demonstrating an epidemic of false
memories, the statistics provided by the FMSF demonstrate just the opposite: In spite of
heavy media coverage, relatively few families have contacted or joined the organization.
Furthermore, the incidence of false memory claims, which was never significant in
proportion to the population, has declined steadily since 1992." -- Dallam
Also:
- Dr. Richard Gardner: A Review of His Theories and Opinions
on Atypical Sexuality, Pedophilia, and Treatment Issues
- The Evidence for Parental Alienation Syndrome: An Examination of
Gardner's Theories and Opinions
- Unsilent Witness: Ralph Underwager and the FMSF
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Clinical Practice Considerations with 'False Memory Syndrome'