FALSE MEMORY SYNDROME FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Vol. 13 No. 6

Dear Friends, help of therapists using hypnotic techniques. We laughed when we read the following in an analysis What does it take to eliminate a pseudoscientific prac- of the presidential campaign: tice? The vastly reduced number of people who now smoke in our country demonstrate that dramatic change in person- “The [presidential] campaign is subjecting American vot- al belief and habit can happen, but it is also true that some ers to an intensive course of attempted treatment for a nonex- people continue to smoke. Perhaps it is unrealistic to think istent-memory disorder. [They] have seeded the political dis- that the belief in recovered memories as reliable will ever course with what amounts to False Memory Syndrome. Not disappear. But is it unrealistic to expect that doctors will dis- recovered memory syndrome, mind you, which assumes that the memory summoned to consciousness is real, but FMS.” courage people from smoking or that therapists will use Twersky, D. (2004, Oct. 13). Global memory test. techniques that do not risk encouraging patients to develop New York Sun, p. 11. false beliefs that tear families apart? The term “false memory syndrome” has unquestionably This issue of the newsletter contains a letter from the become a part of our language, even if used in ways that are FMS group in the Netherlands explaining that they have unrelated to the problems of the Foundation. The term has decided to disband. Members believe that new government recently been included in the Oxford Concise Dictionary regulations will prevent the FMS problem from resurfacing. with a definition as used by the FMSF[1]. If only the use of (See p. 3) In this country, however, there is as yet no nation- the term could solve the problem! al policy or legislation that would prevent a resurgence. The modern flirtation with recovering memories, hyp- Indeed, as long as some therapists continue to encour- notic age regression, and past lives may very well have age belief in the reliability of all recovered memories, there taken hold in the 1950s with the publication of the best-sell- is danger of a rebirth of the FMS problem. In fact, one of the er The Search for Bridey Murphy. In a seemingly scholarly first legal decisions to help slow the spread of recovered style, author Morey Bernstein revealed the story of Virginia memory lawsuits is currently under challenge. (See p. 9) In Tighe who claimed to have had a previous existence as an its 1996 Hungerford decision, the State of New Hampshire Irish woman born in 1798, Bridey Murphy[2]. Although Supreme Court ruled that repressed and recovered memo- Tighe, with the help of hypnosis, provided a graphic ries are admissible only if eight criteria are met. Four of description of life in Ireland at the time, a place she had those criteria relate to the reliability of the science of recov- never visited, the story was thoroughly debunked a few ered memories and four concern the individual circum- years later. It was discovered that Virginia Tighe had been stances of how the memories were recovered. In a pretrial recounting stories she had heard in her childhood from an hearing taking place this autumn, New Hampshire Superior Irish neighbor in Chicago. Even so, belief in past lives and Court Judge Tina Nadeau will determine whether or not the alien abduction flourished in the following decades. Hungerford decision should be overturned and whether By the mid-80s, the reliability of memories recovered repressed memories may be used as evidence. with the help of hypnosis was completely and scientifically Compounding the legal uncertainty is the crest of legal debunked though the research and court testimony of In this issue... Martin Orne, M.D., and Campbell Perry, Ph.D., FMSF Advisors, as well as by other scientists. The American Bakker...... 3 Medical Association issued a warning about the unreliabili- Anderson ...... 4 ty of hypnotically enhanced memories in 1985, yet almost Legal Corner ...... 9 20 years later, the Foundation still receives calls from fam- From Our Readers...... 10 Bulletin Board ...... 14 ilies whose children have recovered “memories” with the

1955 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-5766, 215-940-1040, Fax 215-940-1042, www.FMSFonline.org cases related to the clergy abuse scandal. Many of these were somehow more accurate and pristine than ordinary cases involve claims of recovered memory, but the majori- memories. The change in understanding about memory that ty seem to have been combined with other abuse cases and has taken place during the past decade is phenomenal settled, thus not affecting laws. Still, some cases are in the thanks to memory researchers, scholars, careful reporters, courts. Although we do not anticipate a return to the legal concerned lawyers, and all of you. climate of the early 90s, upcoming pretrial admissibility The work now is to maintain the momentum and ensure hearings, the trials, and the appeals have the potential to that there is not a resurgence of harmful unscientific beliefs change the legal landscape. about recovered memories. Thanks to your generous finan- The need for education about recovered memories and cial support, the Foundation will continue to work in this suggestible therapeutic techniques seems as great as ever direction. because every few years there is a new generation of We wish you the best for the holiday season. lawyers, reporters and therapists. Although vast strides have Pamela been made in many educational institutions, some people 1. Soanes, C.& Stevenson, A. (Eds.) (2004). The Concise Oxford English still are not exposed to the problems of suggestibility and Dictionary. (false memory n. Psychology- an apparent recollection of an false memories during their years in school. To those of us event which did not actually occur, especially one of childhood sexual who have been enmeshed in this topic for so many years it abuse arising from suggestion during psychoanalysis.) seems impossible, but we still get calls from lawyers and 2. See FMSF Newsletter 2(10), November, 1993. reporters who know almost nothing about the problems and 3. Macaulay, S. (2004, April 22). Not always on my mind. The Times, (London), p. 7. the research concerning recovered memories. Exacerbating the problem of belief in the reliability of recovered memories are the movie and literary industries’s Foundation Audit fascination and uncritical portrayal of the topic. “The one March 1, 2003 - February, 29, 2004 thing that Hollywood likes to remember is the ability to for- The Foundation has received the audit for the fiscal get”[3]. Recovered memories are likely to be with us for a year March 1, 2003 through February, 29, 2004 as pro- long time. It is important, therefore, that stories such as vided by Goldenberg Rosenthal, LLP, the CPA firm that “Losing Linda,” are published so that the dangers of recov- audits the books and financial statement of the ered memories will also be a part of the general climate. Foundation. The Foundation spent $189,659 in the fiscal (See p. 4) year, of which 79% went to program activities, 20% went The final chapter of the Klassen case appears to have to management of the office, and 1% went to fund rais- ended. (See p. 10) Richard Klassen and the 11 others who ing. were charged with child abuse in 1991 have received not only monetary compensation but also written apologies from the police and therapists who were responsible. “In 2000 the Psychiatric Association’s trustees, Apologies are the exception, although they are surely eschewing risky flights into theory, approved a lower- deserved and the right thing for those responsible to do. The profile ‘Position Statement on Therapies Focused on falsely accused almost never receive an apology, either in Memories of Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse.’This legal cases or, as we have learned from FMSF surveys, in declaration, however, was more pussyfooting than its pre- families. decessor. The validity of recovered memory treatment, it Most of us have come to terms with the fact that apolo- whispered, ‘has been challenged’ in some quarters. While gies are unlikely, even if that is what we most wish would pointing out that memories can be altered as a result of occur. And although many families are happily reunited, suggestions from ‘a trusted person or authority figure,’ many other families have accepted that reunification of the drafters tactfully refrained from mentioning that the their families seems less and less likely. The death of much- suggesting party is usually a therapist. And clinicians loved Seattle activist Chuck Noah is a reminder of the pass- were advised to avoid ‘prejudging the veracity of the ing years and increasing age of Newsletter readers. (See p. patient’s reports’ of abuse, as if false reports were typi- 11) cally delivered to therapists out of the blue, without influ- The preceding paragraphs might seem to suggest that ence from confabulation-enhancing devices employed we feel gloomy, but that is far from the truth. The present within the treatment. The absence of any mention of those climate is absolutely nothing like the situation that the devices, such as hypnosis and sodium amytal, marked a Foundation faced in 1992. Then, the general climate sup- step backward from the association’s 1993 statement.” ported the notion that if an accusation of sexual abuse was Crews, F. (2004, March 11). The trauma trap. made, it must be true. Many held that recovered memories NY Review Books LI(4), p. 37-40.

2 FMS Foundation Newsletter NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Vol. 13 No. 6 A Letter from the Netherlands out and publishing about the problem. zen complaints seriously—action was Workgroup Fictive Memories to the Perhaps you know some of their taken at last, although very slowly. In FMSF names: Hans Crombag and Harald 2000, the minister of Public Health It’s been a long time since we offi- Merckelbach (Maastricht University) asked another institute concerned with cially communicated with you about and Peter van Koppen and Willem health, the Health Counsel, to advise the state of your sister organization Wagenaar (Leiden University). They her in this matter. from Holland: the “Werkgroep wrote books and articles and acted as A committee was set up (a process Fictieve Herinneringen” (WFH). We experts in court cases. There was some that took more than a year!) with well send you now a longer letter because very good publicity, mostly initiated known scientists from different sides, of the fact that we have ended the by one of our working group-mem- including the main players in the field activities of the WFH. Only our web- bers, Jan Buijs. (Nel Draijer and Onno van der Hart; site will remain: www.werkgroep- Slowly the tide turned. Claims of but also Harald Merckelbach and wfh.nl . “repressed” and “recovered” memories Willem Wagenaar). That was a diffi- Ten years ago a few falsely of abuse could not be proven; no trace cult but important move. To our great accused parents started the working of “satanic circles” has ever been surprise (and after a long 2 years) the group, naturally on a smaller scale than found, despite fierce police research. final, official advice (January 2004) you did in 1992. We limited the prob- Certain media (tv shows) were fined was as good as it could be: recognition lem to bad therapies inducing incest for having unfairly accepted and publi- of the problem, and acknowledgement memories. At first we thought that our cized outrageous claims about abuse of the dangers of certain forms of psy- task should be easy, that people and and implicitly and explicitly accusing chotherapy to suggestible people. officials were rational, especially psy- innocent citizens. Furthermore, suggestions were made chologists, especially in Holland, such Personally we had several ups and to construct guidelines to disseminate a down-to-earth country, as we like to downs, and our working group became the knowledge of the workings of think. How naive! We registered near- smaller and smaller. In the beginning memory, and so on. In June 2004, the ly 300 cases in these ten years, mostly we had 6 active members. In the ten Minister of Public Health accepted all in the first 4-5 years; and all were hor- years we existed, three of them died. the points in this report. rible stories. You knew Jan Wind, and you had some We feel now that our main goals We learned a lot from your correspondence with Siena van are reached. Not to perfection, but that newsletters and fact sheets, and trans- Borrendam, a wonderful person, who is impossible. Parents no longer tele- lated and distributed them among our- did such good work. She died of cancer phone us in despair. In recent months, selves and others. The problem here 2 years ago. We went through the same there is even a very active retractor, was virtually the same as in the USA, frustrations and disappointments as seeking publicity, with good web sites, with a similar proportion of victims you did, but sometimes events went www.traumaversterking.nl and (Holland has 16 million inhabitants). well for us. Adriaan Mak was our “liai- www.valseherinnering.eigenstart.nl. We met with the same opponents, who son master”; he translated our news for All in all, we think this is the time to visited our country and were working the FMSF. end the activities of the WFH. We are with Dutch scientists and practitioners, Our main goal was to force the tired; we want to rest, and let time heal making the dissociation theory blos- organizations of psychiatrists and psy- the wounds—if possible. Only a small som here. We met with the same smear chologists to take responsibility. One number of our children have returned and accusations. The official psycho- problem was that our Minister of (as is, unfortunately, the case in the logical organizations didn’t answer our Public Health, in contrast to the USA) and there is still a lot of grief. letters, didn’t want to meet us, didn’t Minister of Justice, didn’t feel any We have to accept that life is like that. give us a chance to speak at confer- need to correct “her” field, mental There is a long way to go for psy- ences, didn’t print our articles. We had health; and so the spending of tax chotherapy before it is as well-con- to work hard to get the attention of the money on phony and dangerous thera- trolled as medical practice. Ministry of Public Health, using much pies went on. We hope that you will also see, one politeness and patience. Our experi- After our complaint about non- of these days, the end of your FMSF- ences, like yours, were mostly very cooperation of the Minister of Public work. We are very, very grateful to you frustrating and infuriating. Happily Health to the National for your example and your courage. there were some wonderful indepen- “Ombudsman”—an institute with We keep an interest in your work and dent scientists, who —like Elizabeth great authority in our country, which will be happy to continue to receive Loftus—never got tired of speaking can advise the government to take citi- your newsletters by mail.

FMS Foundation Newsletter NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Vol. 13 No. 6 3 With all due respect and sincere Losing Linda: A Legacy of and eyes. I am an autumn. That means I look best in brown, rust, yel- feelings of friendship, brought on by Recovered Memory Therapy our shared difficulties, low, orange-red and generally warm Part II colors. David is a spring. Take care Yours sincerely, Jennifer Anderson Mieke Bakker of yourself, Part I of “Losing Linda” contained the Love, Linda testimony of a woman who believed that Later that same year, Linda sent a Lest We Forget: An example of the she had been a victim of satanic ritual climate of belief in 1992 when the abuse and was in court seeking a restrain- Mother’s Day card: Foundation began. ing order against her mother. Dear Mom, Happy Mother’s Day! How are you? “Sexual assault, incest, cannibal- Part II David and I are fine. The weather ism, torture, brainwashing, even mur- I believe that my sister, Linda, was here is beautiful this time of year. I der. Can this actually be going on? In lost to us in the recovered memory love to go swimming in the Gulf. I’m Manitoba? In the name of the Devil? therapy process endorsed by The mainly writing to say I’m thinking Leanne Boyd, a mental health worker Courage to Heal. In order to under- about you and I hope you really have who chairs a government committee on stand the full scope of this iatrogenic a wonderful day. ritual abuse and youth involvement in process, I’ll begin at the beginning, Much happiness to you always! satanic cults, says stories of ritual before Linda began therapy and was Love, Linda abuse should not be dismissed. still in contact with us, her family. Christmas arrived, and again “‘The very fact that you’ve got a Ironically, the family member with Linda wrote: committee made up of four different whom she kept in most contact was the Dear Mom, government departments and represen- one whom she eventually accused of Have a Merry Christmas! Peace to tatives from the clergy and the police satanic ritual abuse and murder: her you throughout the whole New should tell you that’s it real, that it’s out mother. Year. there,’ she says. The registrar of the Linda was a prolific writer of let- I love you! Psychological Association of ters and postcards, most of which my Love, Linda and David Manitoba, Dr. Lois Edmund, said she mother saved as mementos. They were has an inch-thick file of articles from filled with the large and small happen- 1986 came around, a new professional journals dealing with ritu- ings of my sister’s busy life. My sister year…and many more letters. Linda al abuse. was married in 1982, at 22 years old. and David bought a house in Florida. “‘Certainly within the last couple An especially poignant response to her Linda responded to a letter my mother of years people have become increas- wedding invitation read: wrote, commenting on a visit from our ingly aware of these problems,’ father (our parents divorced years I wanted you to know how pleased I ago): Edmund said. But if it’s out there, would have been to be at Linda and where’s the proof? Why has no perpe- David’s wedding. They are exception- Dear Mom, trator of these unspeakable crimes ever al young people and I have been priv- Hi! How are you doing? Thank you been arrested? Counsellor Shirley ileged to get to know them (especially for your letter. Dad came to visit us Tervo says it is because victims often Linda) well. I especially respect a Monday. It was really good to see have no memory of the crimes. Some mother who can raise and nurture a him. I’d love to see you sometime have dissociative disorders—or multi- young woman of Linda’s strength and too! We finally bought our house Monday, right after Dad left. We’ve ple personalities—which must be over- depth of character. I hope we have an opportunity to meet some day… already planted two pine trees in the come before they could ever testify. front yard. We have one more pine Others have been brainwashed, she A 1985 birthday card sent to my mother read: tree to plant and a yellow rose bush. I says, or threatened with death if they want a rose garden. I’ve always ever expose the cult.” Dear Mom, wanted a rose garden. I love Gair, B. (1992, April 25). Outlandish sto- Happy Birthday! I hope your day is roses…Take care, Mom! ries ring true to experts. wonderful! How are you? David and I love you! Winnipeg Free Press. I are doing A-okay. David’s beard has Love, Linda filled in and he’s put on about 25 pounds. I look about the same. Have Her letters continued as the “Memory is a complicated thing, a you ever been shaded? That’s where months passed by. Linda and David relative to truth, but not its twin.” a person tells you what season you moved to Oregon. A 1987 card deco- Barbara Kingsolver are according to your skin tones, hair, rated on the front with a fuzzy, white,

4 FMS Foundation Newsletter NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Vol. 13 No. 6 smiling sheep read: and you’ll be able to feel the loving The Courage to Heal is available in warm hug I’m giving to you…I hope Dear Mom, bookstores. Our self-help culture read- this year is really a happy one for Hi again! There’s a lot of sheep ily absorbs its skewed teachings. My you! You are a very special person- raised here in Oregon. I was thinking mother recalled the strange phone con- especially to me! about you today and thought you versation, “She (Linda) asked me if she I love you! might like this card. Happy Birthday had been abused as a child. I answered, Love, Linda again! The sheep’s name is Sunshine, ‘No! If you had, you would have told by the way. Actually I think this is My sister’s rounded, feminine me.’ She talked briefly and hung up your Easter card and Sunshine is an handwriting sprawled across letter hurriedly.” My mother was confused Easter sheep so…Happy Easter! How after letter to our mother. She adds a by the call. She thought that Linda was are you doing? Jenny tells me you’re Master’s Degree in Education to her asking if she had ever been abused by working too hard. I hope you’re not undergraduate Physics degree…I men- anyone. She never considered that overdoing it. Spring has sprung here. tioned that my sister was bright, didn’t The flowers are beautiful and my Linda was asking if she had been I? Her dabbling in counseling starts to allergies are blossoming with each abused by her own mother. tree…I’d love to visit you again. I solidify with this 1988 letter, after My relationship with Linda was plan to once we have the money. another move to New Mexico: strained at this point. For the past few Take care, Mom. Dear Mom, years her behavior had changed Love, Linda Hi! How are you doing today? I towards me. She had become distant P.S. I was thinking about how neat it could tell you weren’t feeling too and withdrawn. Phone conversations is that you’re a feminist. I’ve been well the other day when I called. I’ve with my sister left me feeling like I had getting involved in feminism and been having my ups and downs too, just talked with a therapist. It was “peopleism” lately. with looking for work, getting accli- annoying. Linda’s speech patterns had Love, Linda mated, and making new friends here. even been affected. We talked less and Linda mailed an unusual birthday So far I haven’t gotten a job. I’m thinking of opening my own counsel- less, often letting months slide by, as I card in April 1987, addressed to was no longer comfortable talking with “Joanne,” rather than “Mom.” At this ing private practice if nothing else works out. I wasn’t planning on my sister. My childhood camping, ten- point in time, my sister may have doing this for a few years yet. I’ll see nis, and horseback riding partner had already become involved in psy- what happens… changed in an inexplicable manner. I chotherapy, as a patient herself, Take care Mom! I love you! just couldn’t figure it out. I also felt she through her graduate studies, or as a Love, Linda was shirking her family responsibili- therapist. We don’t know for sure. One final card ends the stream of ties in many ways and began to resent Despite the more impersonal opening, caring and support pouring out from the way she was distancing herself her letter is extraordinarily warm and Linda’s distinctive handwriting. It’s a from my mother and two younger loving: Christmas card, addressed to my moth- brothers. Dear Joanne, er and brother, Craig, arriving in her By the time Linda made that last Hi! How are you? David and I are mailbox on December 14, 1988. It’s phone call to our mother, I hadn’t fine. The weather has been beautiful the last loving card from Linda that my talked with her for a long time, perhaps here the last few weeks. It’s been mother has received to date. Linda even a few years. I had written her let- sunny and warm, which is amazing ters, but she never wrote back. Looking for Oregon this time of year. I really writes: back through the scrapbook my mother have been enjoying working and liv- Dear Mom and Craig, has made with Linda’s postcards and ing here…I’ve been taking some fun Merry Christmas! How are you classes like acting! I’m going to be doing?…We are sending lots of love letters surprised me. She had written taking an Indian beadwork class, too. and good wishes that you two have a regularly to Craig, our youngest broth- Remember the bead chains I used to great Christmas and New Year. er, and our mother. I had thought at the make? I miss you and Jenny and Take care, and Mom, thanks for the time that the reason Linda never wrote Craig and Michael…I would really recipes! back to me was that she was angry with like it if David and I could come to Love, Linda and David me. I didn’t understand it, but felt I had visit you soon…Take care of your- Then the axe falls. Linda makes a to have done something that really self. Happy Birthday! upset her. I couldn’t remember what, Love, Linda memorable telephone call to my moth- but lived with the nagging doubt that I P.S. My birthday present to you is a er in August 1989. At this point, the very big, warm hug which is sealed recovered memory therapy movement had botched our relationship somehow. in this envelope! Just shut your eyes is well underway. The 1988 edition of I felt guilty. Surely I had done some-

FMS Foundation Newsletter NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Vol. 13 No. 6 5 thing. I never dreamt that the reason The Courage to Heal. In retrospect, her attempts and continued to contact her. she was distancing herself from our actions are a textbook case of recov- Linda grew more and more frightened family was that she was becoming ered memory therapy. My claim is sup- and at one point when her mother was afraid of us. ported by documentation, the vast in Florida, she avoided going home as After the phone call, my mother’s majority of it supplied by my mother, much as possible for fear her mother would be there. anxieties over Linda shifted into high who continues to this day to worry gear. She worried that Linda was over Linda’s welfare. Without this With my 14 years of experience as a involved in a cult, as she had now com- carefully compiled documentation, I licensed Mental Health Counselor in pletely cut off all communication with couldn’t have written Linda’s story. the State of Florida specializing in abuse issues, I believe the information us. Linda and David had moved to For whatever reason, Linda Linda is giving you to be correct. I Florida. They ignored my mother’s entered therapy in the late 1980’s. The believe her request for a restraining increasingly concerned letters and reasons could be many or few. At any order should be granted. phone calls. Finally, my mother left a rate, Linda was in an emotionally vul- Even as I type the therapist’s message on Linda’s answering nerable position, as women who enter words, it takes my breath away that machine, saying she was coming to therapy tend to be. Her master’s degree one person could do so much damage visit. She received an extremely hurt- in education and her previously stated to another, with the very best of inten- ful letter in reply. It contained one interest in counseling may have tions. stinging, short paragraph, long brought her into contact with recov- Linda’s belief in the value of engraved in my mother’s memory: ered memory therapy. The reasons for recovered memory therapy came Joanne, entering therapy, oddly, do not really straight from her mouth in an April You are not welcome here. If you matter. It’s the immersion in recovered 1997 conversation she had with come to visit, we will not see you… memory therapy that has the devastat- Michael, the older of our two younger Linda and David ing impact. brothers. It was the year before the No explanation. No ‘why.’ A total My words are validated in an iron- restraining order hearing. Michael had cut-off for no reason. It was the ic twist of fate by the very person I left a message for Linda, as he was strangest letter I had ever seen. “I had believe helped contribute to Linda’s very concerned for her welfare. We all no clue,” my mother remarked years therapy-induced mental distress that feared at this point that Linda was later. Despite the cold response, she we witnessed during the restraining involved in a cult. Recovered memory flew out to see them in September, order hearing. I am referencing official therapy was completely unknown to 1990. In fact, the letter only deepened declarations handwritten by Linda’s us. Michael volunteered to try again to her worry that something was terribly friends and supporters. This paperwork contact his sister. Surprisingly, Linda wrong with my sister. The trip was a was submitted to the Superior Court of returned his call and they had a disaster. My mother stayed in a motel Washington, King County, 1998, sup- strained, uncomfortable conversation. room for eight days, leaving phone porting Linda’s petition to have a During the call, Linda suggested to messages daily on their answering restraining order issued against my Michael that he needed Memory machine. There was no response. mother. The first declaration is written Enhancement Therapy. She was very Although she knew Linda’s home by a licensed mental health counselor mistrustful on the phone and when address, she didn’t attempt to see in the state of Florida. It reads: Michael asked what group she was Linda and David in person. “I thought I knew Linda ______(previously involved in, Linda hung up. This sce- she was mad at me about something Linda ______) while she lived in nario is remarkable in that Linda and I didn’t have a clue. I felt very Florida from 1989-1991. I was a feared her family because she thought awkward and didn’t want to force friend and colleague of Linda’s during we were part of a satanic ritual abuse myself on her. I was brought up to the time she was recalling memories cult, and we feared for her because we of childhood abuse. The memories believe that you don’t push yourself on thought she was involved in a cult her- Linda shared with me were incidents self! No wonder the conversation was people that don’t want you,” my moth- of severe abuse in which she was vic- so stressed. er explained. My mother returned timized by her parents and other fam- home with all her questions and con- ily members. Linda was very fright- One year later, in a statement to the cerns unanswered. ened of her parents and wanted court, she wrote: I believe that Linda had become absolutely no contact with them. She …certifies under penalty of perjury enmeshed in recovered memory thera- asked repeatedly for them to leave her under the laws of the State of py by the time of my mother’s Florida alone and stop any attempts to contact Washington that the foregoing is true visit. She had almost certainly read her. As I recall, they ignored her and correct…sending mail to me

6 FMS Foundation Newsletter NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Vol. 13 No. 6 although I have repeatedly stated to als would often take place on holi- it within a book, preventing her from family members that I want no con- days, like Easter and Halloween. compulsively reading it over and over. tact…As a child and teenager she sex- I have known Linda for the past 7 Bass and Davis then propose creat- ually and physically abused me many years and during these holiday times, ing a new family, “…you can create an times. I witnessed her kill many peo- I’ve witnessed Linda to be very upset alternative family of your own choos- ple (children and adults). I have seen and traumatized as the memories of ing in the present. Look to your her use knives. I have scar tissue what happened would come to under one arm and injuries to ribs friends, the members of your incest her…Linda is a very strong and brave from beatings. I know as a child and group…they can offer abundant woman who suffered greatly as a teenager we were drugged sometimes opportunities for nurturing, closeness, child, but who is committed to healing and other victims were drugged prior and comfort” (p. 306). Unfortunately, from the trauma. She has chosen to to killing them. She was and probably live a life very different from that this advice effectively maintains the still is an alcoholic… which she was raised in, and this closed belief system of recovered The fact that there are no missing means no contact with her family-of- memory therapy. Linda is firmly cen- persons in the area that my mother origin… tered within this belief system. Her lives in serves as no reality check to As I read over the court documen- family and childhood friends have Linda. The scar tissue under one arm tation, I was struck at the odd phrases been discarded, replaced by friends that she is writing about may simply used so readily by Linda and her and therapists who support her false refer to when she had moles removed friends. The words leap right off the beliefs. There is no opportunity for a that were becoming irritated by cloth- pages of ACourage to Heal. “Healing” seed of doubt to be planted and to ing, while she was in college. I waited is a familiar refrain throughout the allow the closed belief system of false for her in the doctor’s office during the book, echoed by Linda’s friend. One memory syndrome to self-correct. procedure, as she was understandably chapter, titled “Families of Origin,” is Bass and Davis then note how nervous. Her rib injuries I know noth- dedicated to continuing, or not contin- “other women have changed their ing about and strongly suspect that uing, relationships with the accused names, casting off any identification they are figments of her therapy- family. I dislike the phrase “family-of- with the abuser” (p. 306). Linda fol- induced fantasies.. origin,” sprinkled so liberally through- lowed their suggestion and cast off The phraseology used in this next out the chapter. Labeling one’s family both her maiden and married names, “certified under penalty of perjury” a “family-of-origin” is an effective dis- selecting a new middle and last name declaration, submitted in Linda’s sup- tancing technique, setting the stage as part of her newly constructed identi- port of the restraining order, is chilling. that allows the ‘survivor’ to cut off her ty as a ‘survivor.’ My mother had sent The words and phrases can be traced family, an act that is encouraged by the her many letters before the restraining directly back to The Courage to Heal. authors. “It is painful to make a break order, before we realized what we were A friend of Linda’s writes (name with- with your family, but it is even more dealing with. The letters to Linda from held to protect privacy): painful to keep waiting for a miracle,” my mother have dwindled to a small I am writing in support of the restrain- admonish the authors, in a section trickle now. I had been writing Linda ing order which Linda has requested called “Making the Break” (Bass & sporadically, but after the 1998 be placed on her birth mother, Joanne. Davis, 1988, p. 305). The ease with restraining order, have sent her only Several years ago, Linda told mem- which the authors recommend cutting one brief note, when my husband, two bers of her family-of-origin, including off all contact with the ‘survivor’s’ children and I moved to a different Joanne, to leave her alone…Because family is astonishing, “If you decide to state. I don’t attempt to contact Linda it is unusual in our society for some- make a separation for the sake of your for two reasons. First, it was very clear one to request a restraining order own healing, you will have to let go, at the hearing how afraid of us Linda against one’s own mother or family, I was`. I didn’t want to add to her fears would like to tell more about Linda’s grieve, and move on” (p. 303). Then, and force her to move away again. situation. Linda has told me about the authors encourage, “mark the occa- how she, her siblings, and other chil- sion” with a ritual of some sort, Linda holds an excellent position in a dren were severely and ritually abused whether it be “going to the desert, university now, and I didn’t want to at the hands of the adult family mem- holding a wake, throwing a party, writ- impact her career in any way. Second, bers and other adults while Linda was ing a “Dear John” letter” (p. 306). I’ve always had an instinctive fear that growing up. Linda’s family belonged Linda’s equivalent to a “Dear John” Linda was so mentally unstable as a to a cult. And the cult members would letter was her September 1990 letter, direct result of this ‘therapy’ that she cut the children with knives and some addressed to “Joanne.” The letter was may attempt to hurt herself if pushed of the children would die. These ritu- so upsetting that my mother finally hid too far. In doing research for this

FMS Foundation Newsletter NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Vol. 13 No. 6 7 paper, my worst fears were confirmed. aggressively investigating the allega- to families by a substantial number of Bass and Davis devote an entire sec- tions of victims of ritual abuse. There one’s colleagues would be extremely tion to suicide, titled “Don’t Kill is little or no evidence for the portion difficult, especially when that profes- Yourself.” They counsel the reader of their allegations that deals with sion is dedicated to helping their fel- with: large-scale baby breeding, human sac- low human beings. rifice, and organized satanic conspira- I wrote this account in late 2003 of Sometimes you feel so bad, you want cies. Now it is up to mental health pro- to die. The pain is so great, your feel- fessionals, not law enforcement, to how our family lost Linda through ings of self-loathing so strong, the fear explain why victims are alleging recovered memory therapy. I still so intense, that you really don’t want things that don’t seem to have hap- dream of Linda at least once a month. to live…It’s okay to feel as devastated pened” (1992). In my dreams, she is never scary, never as you feel. It’s just not okay to hurt In 1994, a “federally commis- the stuff of nightmares. Linda is just yourself…(as listed in a footnote sioned research project, directed by reassuringly there, present as my sub- within the same section).(fn. Many of Gail Goodman, Ph.D., examined conscious mind unravels the events of the women whose stories appear in daily life. Pamela Freyd gently sug- “Courageous Women” have felt suici- 12,264 cases of suspected SRA. The gested that writing Linda’s story may dal at some point of their healing. research could not find a single case of Their words can reassure you that it’s alleged child sexual abuse where there help me lay it to rest. The only problem worth staying alive.) (p. 202) was clear corroborating evidence for is, I don’t want to lay it to rest. I want the existence of a well-organized my sister back. Truly this is therapy gone haywire. inter-generational satanic cult which References It sickens me that this book has had tortured children and committed mur- Bass, E., & Davis, L. (1988). The courage to heal: A such a far-reaching impact. Therapy is ders” (as cited in Freyd & Goldstein, guide for women survivors of child sexual abuse. supposed to make you feel better, not New York: Harper & Row. 1998, p. 90). Satanic ritual abuse cults False Memory Syndrome Foundation. (2002). drive you to contemplating suicide! simply don’t exist. Frequently asked questions [Brochure]. Philadelphia, The late 1980s are noteworthy in PA. So where has this taken us? Has False Memory Syndrome Foundation. (1998-2003). that the belief in satanic ritual abuse our society learned anything from this Recovered memories: Are they reliable? Retrieved cults was a widespread social phenom- social phenomenon? Most importantly, October 22, 2003, from enon. It seems more than coincidence http://www.fmsfonline.org/reliable.html has the psychiatric field learned cau- False Memory Syndrome Foundation. (2003, that: tion? I believe the tide has turned, as November/December). FMS Foundation newsletter (e-mail edition). Vol. 12, No. 6. At about the same time that therapy- many former accusers have recanted Freyd, P. (1995, Spring). False memory syndrome induced memories of childhood incest their claims of childhood abuse and phenomenon: Weighing the evidence. Court Review, became common, grotesque stories of returned to their families. Many thera- 16-21. ritualistic abuse by satanic cults began Freyd, P., & Goldstein, E. (1998). Smiling through pists have learned caution in their tears. Boca Raton, FL: Upton Books. emerging from therapy sessions. A work. I read an intriguing sidebar con- Goldstein, E., & Farmer, K. (1994). Confabulations: growing number of licensed therapists tained within the November/December Creating false memories-destroying families. Boca are involved in these cases. Some Raton, FL: Upton Books. therapists claim that they have 2003 False Memory Syndrome Lanning, K.V. (1992, January). Satanic, occult, & rit- Foundation Newsletter. The editors ualistic crime: A law enforcement perspective. patients who are victims of an interna- Retrieved September, 25, 2003, from tional cult of satanists operating in vir- printed a quote by Janet Boakes, head http://www.locksley.com/6696/ritukill.htm tually every town and city in America. of psychotherapy services at St. McNally, R. J. (2003). Remembering trauma. (Goldstein & Farmer, 1994, p. 319) George’s Hospital, London. Boakes Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. Satanic ritual abuse (SRA) cults states, “Most doctors in the mental Pendergrast, M. (1995). Victims of Memory: Incest are a myth. The cult’s myth status has health field now accept that some so- accusations and shattered lives. Hinesburg, VT: Upper Access, Inc. been shown in an exhaustive investiga- called recovered memories can be false tion by FBI agent Kenneth V. Lanning, memories unwittingly induced in ther- who conducted an often cited nation- apy by leading questions and sugges- “Ah, amnesia. It’s been a staple in films since, well, longer than I can wide study as chief FBI expert in the tions. Most clinicians now accept the remember. There was a bit of a lull in field of child abuse allegations reality of ‘false memory syndrome,’ the memory-loss tale for a few years (Lanning, 1992). He states: but few recognize that they could themselves be responsible for creating there in the ‘90s, but no more. Whether …in none of the cases of which I am by accident, trauma or design, memory or fostering false memories.” I under- aware has any evidence of a well- loss is once again a favorite concept stand the hesitancy a psychotherapist organized satanic cult been among contemporary movie makers.” found…For at least eight years would feel when shouldering such a Rosen, L. (2004, March 21). Movies, amne- American law enforcement has been burden. Acknowledging the harm done sia, mon amour. Los Angeles Times. p. 8.

8 FMS Foundation Newsletter NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Vol. 13 No. 6 semester from Simmons College as an adjunct professor but has earned almost $200,000 as an expert witness supporting repressed memories over Hungerford Challenged abused. Her father was convicted of the past two years. New Hampshire v. Bourgelais physical abuse, and Light stayed with The defense called Harrison Pope, #02-S-2834 ET AL Rockingham County her mother full time. Later, she said MD, as the first of three witnesses. The NH Superior Court she remembered being sexually abused prosecution asked how Pope could be an expert on recovered memories if he In its 1996 Hungerford decision, when she was 6 or 7 years old. did not think that they existed. Pope the State of New Hampshire Supreme The reliability of Rhianna Light’s went on to testify that the studies that Court ruled that repressed and recov- memory of abuse is the issue of the Brown presented did not meet the cri- ered memories are admissible only if current hearing. Light said that she teria for sound scientific research. He eight criteria are met. Four of those cri- began to suspect that she had been sex- said that the only studies that can sci- teria relate to the reliability of the sci- ually abused when she was hospital- entifically show the reliability of ence of recovered memories and four ized because of suicidal thoughts. She recovered memories must be prospec- concern the individual circumstances said that she had started hearing voices tive and include a documented trauma. of how the memories were recov- when she was in her early teens. When They must show that the individual ered.[1] A challenge to that decision is Light was 13, therapist Catherine was actually unable to remember the currently taking place in New Ganley-Brown told her that hearing trauma and rule out other reasons for Hampshire. voices can be an indicator of sexual amnesia, such as physical reasons. In a pretrial hearing, NH Superior abuse. Light then purchased several Pope testified that his search of Court Judge Tina Nadeau will deter- self-help workbooks about sexual medical indices showed that before the mine whether or not the Hungerford abuse and joined an online forum for early 1990s, there were virtually no decision should be overturned, and survivors of abuse. Defense attorney published studies that were accessed whether repressed memories may be Andrew Cotrupi argued that Ganley- by the search term, “repressed memo- used as evidence against Phil Brown suggested the possibility of ry,” but that this number rose to over Bourgelais, who was accused of child abuse, thus planting the seed for 100 in the year 1997 alone, then fell sexual abuse by his now 18-year-old Light’s recovered memories. back sharply to an average of only 25 daughter Rhianna Light. The prosecu- Rockingham County Assistant papers per year in 2001-2003. By con- tion argues that the science of memory Prosecutor Brad Bolton called expert trast, Pope said, scientific papers about repression has changed since 1996. witness Daniel Brown, Ph.D., who tes- well-validated disorders show a steadi- States with similar admissibility rules tified for two days about the nature of ly expanding rate of publications as the are watching this case. memory and said that since 1996 “the science develops. He argued that the According to reporter Chris science of memory recovery has “rise and fall” pattern of repressed Bernard, Rhianna Light claims to have caught up with the phenomenon.” memory suggested a “fad” that had recovered repressed memories of sexu- Brown cited 85 clinical studies that he enjoyed only a brief period of scientif- al abuse by her father. When Light was claims document the reliability of ic interest, rather than an established, 2-years-old, her parents divorced, and repressed memories. He said that the scientifically accepted phenomenon. she lived full time with her father. majority of his field supports the sci- Prosecutor Bolton pointed out that Later, she alternated weeks with each ence of memory repression and recov- Pope was a member of the FMSF parent. In July 2000, 14-year-old Light ery, and that a well-organized vocal Scientific Advisory Board and ques- told a counselor that she wanted to live minority led by the FMSF are flag- tioned the integrity of the FMSF. with her father “because he listens.” At bearers for the opposition. Brown also Bolton noted that Pope typically that time, she said her relationship with said that he tested Light’s inclination charged $600 per hour as an expert. her father was great, and she was wor- toward suggestibility in order to rule Pope countered that he had accepted ried about telling her mother. Custody out false memories being implanted by the case knowing that the defendant of Light became an issue. others. had limited funds, and that he did not In 2001, however, Light accused Defense attorney Cotrupi chal- expect to be paid more than a small her father of physical abuse, but, lenged Brown on the credibility of fraction of his charges. unprompted, she also told an officer many authors that he cited and on his The defense then called expert that she had never been sexually methods and motives. Cotrupi noted that Brown earns about $4,000 a Peggy Ward, Ph.D., who testified that

FMS Foundation Newsletter NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Vol. 13 No. 6 9 she supports the reality of repressed people received declarations of their memories but did not think that Light innocence from the three main offi- met the criteria. She said that Light cials who handled the case. had felt pulled by her parents and that “I acknowledge and accept, based In Memoriam she was inconsistent in her statements. on the information and evidence now On August 27, 2004, we lost a She also noted that Dr. Brown had available to me, that all Plaintiffs in good friend and a most kind man, omitted any studies by Richard the above-mentioned action were, and Chuck Noah. He was a true pioneer in McNally when he presented his table are, innocent of all criminal-related the struggle for good therapy and of studies. charges that the plaintiffs faced.” sound mental health practices. The hearing is scheduled to con- wrote Saskatoon Police Services Supt. Our condolences go out to his tinue in November when another Brian Dueck. Crown prosecutor wife, June, and to all his fine daughters defense expert is expected to testify Matthew Miazga and therapist Carol and their children. about the interpretation of the psycho- Bunko-Ruys wrote similar declara- Most of us early-‘90s FMS parents logical tests taken by Ms. Light. We tions. were shocked into a numbed state of will report the results of this hearing Platt Productions of Toronto is grief and confusion by our children’s on the FMSF e-mail news list as soon planning to produce a made-for-TV or grandchildren’s false allegations of as they appear. movie about the Klassen case. childhood sexual abuse. A few pockets 1.www.courts.state.nh.us/supreme/opin- 1. Of the five known Canadian Multiple Victim- ions/1997/hungrfrd.htm Multiple Offender cases, only one has escaped criti- of families around North America, fol- Chris Bernard, C. (2004,Aug. 11). Human mind put cal attention, namely the Prescott, Ontario case (a.k.a lowing the lead of Pamela Freyd and on trial; (2004, Aug. 24). Teen hopes to change the Project Jericho. See FMSF Newsletter, 13(2)). The the newly-formed False Memory other cases are: Stirling (Martensville, SK), Kliman way sexual abuse cases are tried; (2004, Sept. Syndrome Foundation (March, 1992), 10).Teen’s memories on the stand; (2004, Sept. (Richmond, BC), Klassen (Red Deer, SK), Leduc 12).Repressed memories take the stand; (2004, Sept. (Cornwall, ON), and they have now all been exposed. organized to educate ourselves, the 14).Repressed memories at issue in trial; (2004, Sept. Makin, K. (2004, Oct. 19). Cornwall child-sex case media, and the culture in general, as to 17). Expert questions sex abuse. The Portsmouth sunk by delays. The Globe and Mail, A1. Herald Warick, J. (2004, June 26). Klassens, Kvellos reach the destructive nature of what was deal with provincial gov’t. Leader-Post, B2. reported to be the recovery of Warick, J. (2004, Sept. 11). Klassens, Kvellos declared innocent in writing. Leader-Post, B1. repressed memories of childhood sex- Update of Klassen Case [1] ual abuse. We were generally good, middle- In June, the Klassen and Kvello class citizens who counted on the con- families reached a settlement with the “We hold that the trial court erred ventional wisdom of expressing quiet, government, ending a 14-year legal by refusing to allow Defendant to polite opposition to a wrong-minded fight about their malicious prosecution present expert testimony on the sub- theory which was doing harm to our for child abuse. No details of the ject of the proper protocols for inter- children and destroying our families. agreement were released. viewing young children to avoid sug- We were confident that, once the In 1991, the Richard Klassen and gestiveness and the implanting of national mental health associations 11 members of his family were false memories. were apprised of the facts, remedial charged with child abuse based on sto- “Our Supreme court has corrective action would soon follow to ries of three foster children. The observed that most jurors are likely put an end to the unfounded, unscien- charges were dropped two years later to be unfamiliar with the behavioral tific practice of repressed memory and in 1994 the malicious prosecution sciences. Consequently, they do not recovery, in therapy and elsewhere. lawsuit was filed. Terms of the settle- necessarily possess the experience to Chuck Noah, however, decided to ment are confidential. determine what constitutes proper do what any good labor union member In January, 2004, the Saskatoon questioning of child witnesses or the would do when shunted aside by a Chief of Police, Russell Sabo, apolo- knowledge of the possible effect of judgmental system, which not only gized on behalf of his force. He com- suggestive questioning on a young deemed him to be guilty without a mented that: “[M]y sympathy goes to child’s memory and its impact on the hearing, but also rendered him voice- each and every person that was wrong- reliability of any subsequent testimo- less, helpless to protect his child and to fully charged and I extend my apolo- ny.” restore his good name and reputation. gies to them for any part that the Judge Patrick Irvine He picketed the clinic staff who had Saskatoon police service played in this Arizona v. Speers 1 CA-CR 02-0578 Ct. harmed his daughter and ruined his App. Div. 1 Dept B. 2004 Ariz. App. LEXIS case.” reputation. Finally, in September 2004, all 12 139. Filed September 28, 2004.

10 FMS Foundation Newsletter NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Vol. 13 No. 6 Eventually, his daughter’s “thera- Plymouth Correctional Center to see Discipline Action pist,” credentialed only with a certifi- Gerald Amirault. I was deeply involved in false cate in bookkeeping, was censured and As we stood in the great hall of the memories for over ten years, but I have her license briefly suspended. The Witch Museum, surrounded by the come to realize that my road to disas- clinic later shut its doors. life-sized panoramas of the 1692 ter first began when I went to a social Early on, to show how ridiculous- Witch Trials, looking up at the grue- worker who diagnosed me with MPD. ly easy it was to do, Chuck paid $78.00 some scenes of Giles Corey being During the decade that I was his to the State of Washington for a license pressed to death, the hysterical chil- patient, this therapist sent me to psy- to practice private psychotherapy. dren in the court house, and the execu- chiatrists who took his word for the Armed only with his signs and his tions on Gallows Hill, Chuck “tsked, diagnosis and who heavily medicated therapist license, Chuck took it upon tsked,” as he often was wont to do, and me. I lost my marriage, custody of my himself to continue to oppose fad ther- said, “So this is where it all began.” kids, my career, friends, and the list apy, despite it costing him dearly. He After lunch at Salem Willows, in goes on. gave unselfishly of his time and effort Salem Harbor, we toured the U.S.S. I stopped seeing that therapist a to help all of us. And why? Because he Constitution, “Old Ironsides,” in year ago and filed a complaint against knew it was the right thing to do. My Charlestown Navy Yard, then drove him with the Texas State Board of own father was a union man, first for through Boston down to Plymouth. Social Worker Examiners. On the Boston Police and later for the Chuck and I signed in at the prison and September 10, 2004, the Ethics Stonecutters, so I could identify with were admitted to the ‘outside’ section Committee of the Board met in San what Chuck believed in and the way he of a little totally enclosed cubicle. Antonio to review complaints filed lived his life. When Gerald was escorted into the against 24 therapists, including mine. Chuck even flew East, at his own ‘prison’ side of the cubicle, he picked Mr. James (Jim) Perdue’s case was the expense, on two occasions, in up the phone and I introduced him to second on the agenda, and the specific September, 1995 and April, 1998, Chuck. They stayed standing and put a charge was “inflicting harm during when the Middlesex D.A. unsuccess- hand on the Plexiglas, a poor substitute therapy.” Among the examples of fully tried to remove Ray and Shirley for shaking hands. Chuck said into the harm were that he broke the confiden- Souza from house arrest and put them phone, “It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. tiality of clients, solicited clients to in prison. He made his signs, put them Amirault.” And Gerald said, “It’s my join in private business ventures, made all over his rental car, and parked ille- privilege, Mr. Noah. I have heard a lot sexual innuendos, and advertised him- gally in front of the courthouse in about you.” Cambridge, Mass. Court employees I felt like I was observing the Correction brought him coffee. A State policeman, meeting of two legends of our time, who stopped him on the highway icons of courage and integrity, two In the July/August 2004 newslet- because of the signs all over the car, John Proctors out of The Crucible, the ter we incorrectly stated that the New told Chuck he knew the Souzas were elder and the younger. Our visit lasted Jersey Department of Law and innocent, wished him well, and sent only 30 minutes but I’ll remember it Public Safety Division of Consumer him on his way. always. Affairs had ordered social worker Chuck had a way with people. When June called to tell me of Dorothy Neddermeyer to remove the Before he went home from his trip Chuck’s passing, I immediately pic- “Ph.D. from the list of credentials on in 1998, the last time I saw him, Chuck tured Chuck, healthy again, standing her web site since she did not have said he wanted to do two things: see next to Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates. that degree.” Dr. Neddermeyer does Salem, Mass. and visit Gerald He has a picket sign in his hand. It have a Ph.D. In 2003, New Jersey Amirault. He and I, in one day, went reads, in huge black letters, permanently restrained Dr. to the Witch Museum in Salem, Old “Unrepentant Voo Doo Therapists Neddermeyer from practicing social Ironsides in Charlestown, and Need Not Apply.” work or providing counseling and/or Chuck, I miss you, my friend. therapy services. They also ordered “The memories which lie within When I grow up, I want to be just like her to change her web site to “make us are not carved stone; not only do you. June, we all love you. it clear that she is not licensed or cer- they tend to become erased as the Frank Kane tified to engage in social work, coun- years go by, but often they change, or Volunteer FMS Contact from seling and/or therapy and to pay even increase by incorporating extra- Massachusetts restitution to all clients that she coun- neous features.” seled after April 1, 2002.” Primo Levi

FMS Foundation Newsletter NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Vol. 13 No. 6 11 self as a family therapist when he has no such certification. Canadian False Memory Support Groups Meeting There were three other patients of Mr. Perdue at the hear- Ontario and Quebec Families, Friends, and Professionals ing so there was not time to say all of the things that I want- CURRENT ISSUES AND PERSPECTIVES ed to. A state investigator reported to the committee and verified the accusations. Mr. Perdue did not deny any of the Sunday, November 7, 2004 charges, although he did seem to try to justify his actions Civic Garden Center (Edward Gardens) and even made unflattering remarks about his clients. Toronto Botanical Gardens ( Civic Garden Centre) The committee voted to suspend Mr. Perdue’s license S.W. corner of Lawrence East and Leslie South indefinitely, pending a complete medical evaluation (to determine the extent of his sleep problems), as well as a PROGRAM SCHEDULE psychological analysis to certify his fitness to be a coun- 9:15 Registration selor. The committee advised him that he could not practice 9:45 Welcome and Introduction: Mavis Lipman therapy until the Board scheduled another hearing to 10:00 Challenges for the 2nd Decade of the FMSF review the results of the evaluations. Mr. Perdue has 30 Pamela Freyd, Ph.D., Executive Director, False days in which to appeal this decision. Memory Syndrome Foundation For the record, even though I no longer believe that I 11:00 Brief presentations: have multiple personalities, I do know that I was abused by Why the Dutch parents’ group has been so successful a relative when I was a child. I am also sure, however, that in getting ministries of health and justice on its side I was not abused by all the other men that I accused as a Adriaan Mak result of the hypnotic trances induced by Mr. Perdue. Attempting to get through to officials in Manitoba My feelings about this experience are mixed. On the George Bergen one hand, I was surprised that the Board took me so seri- Avictim of recovered memory therapy seeks justice ously because I honestly didn’t expect them to. On the Roma Hart other hand, I am “ticked off” that Mr. Perdue basically 12:00 Lunch called me a liar about one part of my complaint. In the 1:00 The Science and Folklore of Traumatic Amnesia: meantime, I have also filed a complaint with the Texas Facts parents and others need to know about the Medical Foundation and they told me that they would current state of the memory war. investigate the doctors involved in this situation. Richard J. McNally, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, I would be happy to speak to anyone who would like Harvard University additional information. You can contact me through the 2:15 Break FMSF. 2:30 Legal Developments: The Good, Bad, and Ugly A retractor Alan D. Gold, Criminal Lawyers Association of Incorporating information provided by Ontario. an FMSF member who attended the hearing 3:45 Discussion: Where are we now? Where do we go? What needs to be done? THEOPHOSTIC COUNSELING Concluding remarks: Mavis Lipman 4:15 Conclusion Jan Fletcher, writer for the Central Kentucky News- Journal, won an award for Excellence in News Writing from Registration the newspaper’s parent company, Landmark Community The cost of the meeting, including lunch, is $25.00 (Canadian) Newspapers Inc. The judges said of Fletcher's entry about per person. Coffee, soft drinks and juice will be available at Theophostic counseling: no charge. Contact: “This reporter's work stood out for its depth of detail and the Mavis Lipman, 2021 Lac David Est, Chertsey, QC authoritative voice. The reporter took the time to explain very com- J0K 3K0; e-mail: [email protected]; phone: 450-882-1480 plicated theological issues in an understandable manner. The stories on Theophostic Ministries were intriguing on several fronts, from one local man's rise in a niche field to the legal ramifications.” “The reason why psychotherapists ought to familiarize Jan Fletcher's website, www.lyingspirits.com, contains an themselves with actual knowledge about the workings of investigative report on Theophostic counseling that is available memory, and why their professional societies should stop to download, as well as links to resources for those interested waffling and promulgating misinformation about it, is not in learning more about Theophostic counseling and recovered that good science guarantees good therapy; it is simply that memories. pseudoscience inevitably leads to harm.” http://www.cknj.com/articles/2003/07/02/news/04smith.txt Fred Crews (2004, March 11). NY Review of Books

12 FMS Foundation Newsletter NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Vol. 13 No. 6 http://www.undergroundbride.com/lying Notice Web Sites of Interest spirits.html comp.uark.edu/~lampinen/read.html Skeptical Information on Theophostic Counseling Agroup of individuals in southwest The Lampinen Lab False Memory Reading Group, Virginia is drafting legislation that University of Arkansas www.traumaversterking.nl English language web site of Dutch retractor. seeks to attack the false memory www.exploratorium.edu/memory/ problem before it begins as well as The Exploratorium Memory Exhibit www.FMSFonline.org proposing a way for families to www.ctnow.com/memory False Memory Syndrome Foundation speak out after separation from their Hartford Courant memory series Legal Web Sites of Interest www.tmdArchives.org relative has occurred. We are asking The Memory Debate Archives •www.caseassist.com for input from other Virginians who • www.findlaw.com www.francefms.com have been affected by the false mem- • www.legalengine.com French language website ory syndrome and who would like to • www.accused.com join us in support of this legislative www.StopBadTherapy.com • www.abuse-excuse.com Contains phone numbers of professional effort. Please express your interest regulatory boards in all 50 states by email to the following address: www.IllinoisFMS.org [email protected] or by regular HUNGRY FOR MONSTERS Illinois-Wisconsin FMS Society mail to Att: Lee Law, P.O. Box 231, www.ltech.net/OHIOarmhp When 15-year-old Nicole Althaus told a Collinsville, VA Ohio Group teacher that her father was molesting her, www.afma.asn.au the quiet affluent Pittsburgh suburb of Australian False Memory Association Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was turned www.bfms.org.uk inside out. Nicole's father, Rick, was FMS Stories Wanted British False Memory Society arrested and charged with sexually abus- Seeking FMS-related nonfiction www.geocities.com/retractor ing Nicole amidst bizarre satanic rituals. This site is run by Laura Pasley (retractor) accounts by survivors of False With the support of her favorite teacher, Memory Syndrome for collection of www.geocities.com/therapyletters police, therapists, social workers, and work to be published by DEL SOL This site is run by Deb David (retractor) officers of the court, all of whom PRESS. We define “survivors” as www.sirs.com/uptonbooks/index.htm believed her stories, Nicole began to Upton Books embellish her initial accusations. As she patients recovering from therapeutic www.angelfire.com/tx/recoveredmemories/ recovered more memories of wild orgies, FMS/MPD abuse. We include rela- Locate books about FMS sacrificed babies, and murder, more peo- tives who have not retracted but Recovered Memory Bookstore ple were arrested, including her mother admit harm. Contact Mary O’Neal: www.religioustolerance.org/sra.htm and a pair of strangers. Information about Satanic Ritual Abuse [email protected] Ayear later, all charges were dropped, www.angryparents.net and Nicole admitted that her accusations Parents Against Cruel Therapy were false. After Nicole and her parents The Rutherford Family Speaks to www.geocities.com/newcosanz reconciled, they sued the authorities. FMS Families New Zealand FMS Group Ordering Information The video made by the Rutherford www.werkgroepwfh.nl The introductory VHS price is $195.00 family is the most popular video of Netherlands FMS Group to universities/libraries/ institutions and FMSF families. It covers the complete www.falseallegation.org $39.00 to individuals for home use. story from accusation, to retraction and National Child Abuse Add $5.00 for shipping. reconciliation. Family members describe Defense & Resource Center George Csicsery the things they did to cope and to help www.nasw.org/users/markp P.O. Box 22833, reunite. Of particular interest are Beth Excerpts from Victims of Memory Oakland, CA 94609-9284. Rutherford’s comments about what her http://www.rickross.com/groups/fsm.html Fax 510-429-9273. family did that helped her to retract and Ross Institute Email: [email protected] return. www.hopkinsmedicine.org/jhhpsychiatry/ Available in DVD format only: There will be a screening of “Hungry perspec1.htm To order send request to Perspectives for Psychiatry for Monsters” at the Three Rivers Film FMSF Video, 1955 Locust St. by Paul McHugh Festival in Pittsburgh on Tuesday Philadelphia, PA 19103 www.enigma.se/info/FFI.htm November 9, 2004. Call the FMSF $10.00 per DVD; Canada add $4.00; FMS in Scandanavia - Janet Hagbom office in October for time and location. other countries add $10.00 www.ncrj.org/ Make checks payable to FMS National Center for Reason & Justice Foundation

FMS Foundation Newsletter NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Vol. 13 No. 6 13 Pat 785-738-4840 Montrose KENTUCKY John 570-278-2040 Wayne (includes S. NJ) Louisville- Last Sun. (MO) @ 2pm Jim & Jo 610-783-0396 Bob 502-367-1838 CONTACTS & MEETINGS - UNITED STATES TENNESSEE MAINE Nashville Rumford Kate 615-665-1160 ALABAMA Carolyn 207-364-8891 TEXAS See Georgia Portland - 4th Sun. (MO) Houston ALASKA Wally & Bobby 207-878-9812 Jo or Beverly 713-464-8970 Kathleen 907-333-5248 MASSACHUSETTS/NEW ENGLAND El Paso ARIZONA Andover - 2nd Sun. (MO) @ 1pm Mary Lou 915-595-3945 Phoenix Frank 978-263-9795 UTAH Pat 480-396-9420 MICHIGAN Keith 801-467-0669 ARKANSAS Grand Rapids Area - 1st Mon. (MO) VERMONT Little Rock Bill & Marge 616-383-0382 Mark 802-872-0847 Al & Lela 870-363-4368 Greater Detroit Area VIRGINIA CALIFORNIA Nancy 248-642-8077 Sue 703-273-2343 Sacramento Ann Arbor WASHINGTON Joanne & Gerald 916-933-3655 Martha 734-439-4055 See Oregon Jocelyn 530-873-0919 MINNESOTA WISCONSIN San Francisco & North Bay Terry & Collette 507-642-3630 Katie & Leo 414-476-0285 or Charles 415-984-6626 (am); Dan & Joan 651-631-2247 Susanne & John 608-427-3686 415-435-9618 (pm) MISSOURI WYOMING San Francisco & South Bay Kansas City - Meeting as called Alan & Lorinda 307-322-4170 Eric 408-738-0469 Pat 785-738-4840 East Bay Area St. Louis Area - call for meeting time CONTACTS & MEETINGS - INTERNATIONAL Judy 925-952-4853 Karen 314-432-8789 Central Coast Springfield - Quarterly (Apr., Jul., Oct., BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA Carole 805-967-8058 Jan. - last Sat. of month) @12:30pm Vancouver & Mainland Palm Desert Tom 417-753-4878 Lloyd 250-741-8941 Eileen and Jerry 909-659-9636 Roxie 417-781-2058 Victoria & Vancouver Island Central Orange County MONTANA John 250-721-3219 Chris & Alan 949-733-2925 Lee & Avone 406-443-3189 MANITOBA CANADA Covina Area NEW HAMPSHIRE Roma 204-275-5723 Floyd & Libby 626-357-2750 Mark 802-872-0847 ONTARIO, CANADA San Diego Area NEW JERSEY London Dee 760-439-4630 Sally 609-927-5343 (Southern) Adriaan 519-471-6338 COLORADO Nancy 973-729-1433 (Northern) Ottawa Colorado Springs NEW MEXICO Eileen 613-836-3294 Doris 719-488-9738 Albuquerque - 2nd Sat. (BI-MO) @1 pm Warkworth CONNECTICUT Southwest Room -Presbyterian Hospital Ethel 705-924-2546 S. New England Maggie 505-662-7521(after 6:30pm) or Burlington Earl 203-329-8365 or Sy 505-758-0726 Ken & Marina 905-637-6030 Paul 203-458-9173 NEW YORK Waubaushene FLORIDA Manhattan Paula 705-543-0318 Dade/Broward Michael 212-481-6655 QUEBEC, CANADA Madeline 954-966-4FMS Westchester, Rockland, etc. Chertsey Central Florida - Please call for mtg. time Barbara 914-761-3627 Mavis 450-882-1480 John & Nancy 352-750-5446 Upstate/Albany Area AUSTRALIA Sarasota Elaine 518-399-5749 Evelyn [email protected] Francis & Sally 941-342-8310 NORTH CAROLINA BELGIUM Tampa Bay Area Susan 704-538-7202 [email protected] Bob & Janet 727-856-7091 OHIO ISRAEL GEORGIA Cleveland FMS ASSOCIATION fax-972-2-625-9282 Atlanta Bob & Carole 440-356-4544 NEW ZEALAND Wallie & Jill 770-971-8917 OKLAHOMA Colleen 09-416-7443 ILLINOIS Oklahoma City SWEDEN Chicago & Suburbs - 1st Sun. (MO) Dee 405-942-0531 or Ake Moller FAX 48-431-217-90 Eileen 847-985-7693 or Tulsa UNITED KINGDOM Liz & Roger 847-827-1056 Jim 918-582-7363 The British False Memory Society Peoria OREGON Madeline 44-1225 868-682 Bryant & Lynn 309-674-2767 Portland area INDIANA Kathy 503-655-1587 Indiana Assn. for Responsible Mental PENNSYLVANIA Health Practices Deadline for the JAN/FEB Harrisburg Newsletter is December 1. Meeting Pat 260-489-9987 Paul & Betty 717-691-7660 notices MUST be in writing and Helen 574-753-2779 Pittsburgh KANSAS Rick & Renee 412-563-5509 should be sent no later than two Wichita - Meeting as called months before meeting.

14 FMS Foundation Newsletter NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Vol. 13 No. 6 Copyright © 2004 by the FMS Foundation 1955 Locust Street Do you have access to e-mail? Send a message to Philadelphia, PA 19103-5766 [email protected] Phone: 215-940-1040 Fax: 215-940-1042 if you wish to receive electronic versions of this newsletter [email protected] www.FMSFonline.org and notices of radio and television broadcasts about FMS. All ISSN # 1069-0484 the message need say is “add to the FMS-News”. It would be Pamela Freyd, Ph.D., Executive Director useful, but not necessary, if you add your full name (all addresses and names will remain strictly confidential). FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board November 1, 2004 Aaron T. Beck, M.D., D.M.S., University of Pennsylvania, The False Memory Syndrome Foundation is a qualified 501(c)3 Philadelphia, PA; Terence W. Campbell, Ph.D., Clinical and Forensic corporation with its principal offices in Philadelphia and gov- Psychology, Sterling Heights, MI; Rosalind Cartwright, Ph.D., Rush erned by its Board of Directors. While it encourages participation Presbyterian St. Lukes Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Jean Chapman, by its members in its activities, it must be understood that the Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; Loren Chapman, Ph.D., Foundation has no affiliates and that no other organization or per- University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; Frederick C. Crews, Ph.D., son is authorized to speak for the Foundation without the prior University of California, Berkeley, CA; Robyn M. Dawes, Ph.D., written approval of the Executive Director. All membership dues Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA; David F. Dinges, Ph.D., and contributions to the Foundation must be forwarded to the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Henry C. Ellis, Ph.D., University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM; Fred H. Frankel, Foundation for its disposition. MBChB, DPM, Harvard University Medical School; George K. ______Ganaway, M.D., Emory University of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Martin Gardner, Author, Hendersonville, NC; Rochel Gelman, Ph.D., Rutgers The FMSF Newsletter is published 6 times a year by the False University, New Brunswick, NJ; Henry Gleitman, Ph.D., University of Memory Syndrome Foundation. The newsletter is mailed to any- Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Lila Gleitman, Ph.D., University of one who contributes at least $30.00. It is also available at no cost Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Richard Green, M.D., J.D., Charing by email (see above) or on the FMSF website: Cross Hospital, London; David A. Halperin, M.D., (deceased) Mount www.FMSFonline.org Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY; Ernest Hilgard, Ph.D., (deceased) Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; John Hochman, M.D., UCLA Medical School, Los Angeles, CA; David S. Holmes, Ph.D., University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS; Philip S. Holzman, Ph.D., Your Contribution Will Help (deceased) Harvard University, Cambridge, MA; Robert A. Karlin, Ph.D. , Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Harold Lief, M.D., PLEASE FILL OUT ALL INFORMATION PLEASE PRINT University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Elizabeth Loftus, Ph.D., University of California, Irvine, CA; Susan L. McElroy, M.D., __Visa: Card # & exp. date:______University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH; Paul McHugh, M.D., Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Harold Merskey, D.M., University __Discover: Card # & exp. date:______of Western Ontario, London, Canada; Spencer Harris Morfit, Author, __Mastercard: # & exp. date:______Westford, MA; Ulric Neisser, Ph.D., Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; (Minimum credit card is $25) Richard Ofshe, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, CA; Emily Carota Orne, B.A., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; __Check or Money Order: Payable to FMS Foundation in Martin Orne, M.D., Ph.D., (deceased) University of Pennsylvania, U.S. dollars Philadelphia, PA; Loren Pankratz, Ph.D., Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR; Campbell Perry, Ph.D., (deceased) Concordia Signature: ______University, Montreal, Canada; Michael A. Persinger, Ph.D., Laurentian University, Ontario, Canada; August T. Piper, Jr., M.D., Seattle, WA; Name: ______Harrison Pope, Jr., M.D., Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; James Randi, Author and Magician, Plantation, FL; Henry L. Roediger, III, Ph.D. ,Washington University, St. Louis, MO; Carolyn Address:______Saari, Ph.D., Loyola University, Chicago, IL; Theodore Sarbin, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Cruz, CA; Thomas A. Sebeok, Ph.D., State, ZIP (+4) ______(deceased) Indiana University, Bloomington, IN; Michael A. Simpson, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., M.R.C, D.O.M., Center for Psychosocial & Country: ______Traumatic Stress, Pretoria, South Africa; Margaret Singer, Ph.D., (deceased) University of California, Berkeley, CA; Ralph Slovenko, Phone: (______)______J.D., Ph.D., Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, MI; Donald Spence, Ph.D., Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, Piscataway, NJ; Jeffrey Victor, Ph.D., Jamestown Community College, Jamestown, NY; Fax: (______)______Hollida Wakefield, M.A., Institute of Psychological Therapies, Northfield, MN; Charles A. Weaver, III, Ph.D. Baylor University, Waco, TX Thank you for your generosity.

FMS Foundation Newsletter NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Vol. 13 No. 6 15 Certainly, conducting a successful election campaign requires far more money than candidates are allowed to collect and spend under Russia’s election laws. When Vyacheslav Volodin was the first deputy head of the federal presidential administration, United Russia began to nominate not businessmen, but high-ranking state employees — chief medical officers, rectors, school directors, and other officials — as election candidates. In order to finance these campaigns, the party had to change its approach to filling black cash boxes. American Psychological Association. (2020, October 7). 2020 Presidential election a source of significant stress for more Americans than 2016 presidential race [Press release]. http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/10/election-stress. Comment APA offered the following evidence-based advice to help people manage their stress related to the election: Uncertainty is frequently stressful, and some people are better at dealing with uncertainty than others. The election, the global pandemic and social unrest are all adding to a sense of uncertainty in our lives. If following the news, watching the debates or scrolling through social media is causing you stress, limit your media consumption. Give yourself permission to take a break from the news. Find out what happens during the American presidential elections. The presidential elections are always held on the first Tuesday in November. Americans vote for people called 'electors' in their state who are supporting the candidate they want to be president - this process is called the electoral college. The more people who live in a state, the more electors that state has. So California, which has lots of people living there, has 55 votes. While Delaware, where there aren't as many people, has just three votes. In total, there are 538 votes across the 50 states and the capital, Washington DC. The candidate with the most electors wins all the state's electoral college votes. And the first candidate to win enough states to get to 270 electoral votes becomes the president. This article represents the analysis of American modern political discourse, mainly the field connected with the pre-election campaign 2016. It explores primary genres of political discourse (speeches, announcements, debates, party programmes), as well as secondary genres (commentaries, discussions, interpretation, political interviews). As the time of the presidential elections, 2016 in the USA is approaching, candidates and their pre-election campaigns attract increasing attention. As usual, there are obvious leaders who are very likely to be successful and those who take part in the event to gain popularity, or out of pure interest or for some other reason. The 1988 campaign featured an open contest on both the Republican and Democratic sides, as Republican Pres. Ronald Reagan was entering. Nevertheless, in the minds of many Americans—and especially the Democrats, who retained control of Congress—Bush’s negative campaign had left a sour impression. Perhaps sensing those doubts, he attempted in his victory address to deal with "the vision thing" and reach out to those who had voted against him. "When I said I wanted a kinder and gentler nation, I meant it—and I mean it," he said. For the results of the previous election, see United States presidential election of 1984 . For the results of the subsequent election, see United States presidential election of 1992 .