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{{seealso|Ritualized child abuse}}


'''Satanic ritual abuse''' ('''SRA''') refers to reported [[sexual abuse]] or [[physical abuse]] in the context of alleged "[[Satanism|Satanic]] rituals." Allegations of SRA remain [[controversy|controversial]] and have featured prominently in disputes over child abuse, memory and the law in the [[United States]] in recent decades.
'''Satanic ritual abuse''' (abbreviated '''SRA''') refers to reports of [[Physical abuse|physical]] and [[sexual abuse]] of individuals (generally children) in the context of [[Satanism|Satanic]] [[ritual]]s. Allegations of SRA first appeared in the early 1980s, arising mainly in the [[United States]] and [[United Kingdom]] and to a lesser extent other parts of the world. Definitions and extent of SRA are [[Controversy|controversial]] with mixed and equivocal evidence presented by both believers and skeptics. Some researchers believe that SRA is linked to [[dissociative identity disorder]]. SRA had a impacted how legal, therapeutic and social work professions dealt with allegations of abuse.


==History==
==History==
A number of psychologists have noted the similarities between modern accounts of SRA, and the disclosures of [[Emma Eckstein]] to [[Sigmund Freud]] whilst undergoing psychoanalytic treatment.<ref name = Noblitt>{{cite book |author=Perskin, Pamela Sue; Noblitt, James Randall |title=Cult and ritual abuse: its history, anthropology, and recent discovery in contemporary America |publisher=Praeger |location=New York |year=2000 |pages= |isbn=0-275-96665-8 |oclc= |doi=}}, Hudson, P. "Ritual Abuse: Discovery, Diagnosis and Treatment", Saratoga, CA, R&E Publishers, 1991</ref> Eckstein described to Freud experiences similar to the ritual abuse survivors of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, which included sexual abuse and ritual bloodletting. Freud was so disturbed by these disclosures that he stated "we may have before us a residue of a primaeval sexual cult".<ref>{{cite book |author=Masson, J.M| authorlink = Jeffrey Masson|title=The Complete Letters of Sigmund Freud to Wilhelm Fliess, 1887-1904 |publisher=Belknap Press |location=Cambridge, Mass |year= |pages= |isbn=0-674-15421-5 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref><ref name=Kent>{{cite journal |last= Kent |first= S. |year= 1994 | month = October |title= Diabolic Debates: A Reply to David Frankfurter and J. S. La Fontaine |journal= Religion |volume= 24 |issue = 4 |pages= 361-378 |url= http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WWN-45NJDT4-5&_user=10&_origUdi=B6WWN-45PVP6D-9&_fmt=high&_coverDate=10%2F31%2F1994&_rdoc=1&_orig=article&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=b99f59d981b17a1f0a1dfce6838270ac |accessdate= 2008-01-29}}</ref>
A number of psychologists have noted the similarities between modern accounts of SRA, and the disclosures of [[Emma Eckstein]] to [[Sigmund Freud]] whilst undergoing psychoanalytic treatment.<ref name = Noblitt>{{cite book |author=Perskin, Pamela Sue; Noblitt, James Randall |title=Cult and ritual abuse: its history, anthropology, and recent discovery in contemporary America |publisher=Praeger |location=New York |year=2000 |pages= |isbn=0-275-96665-8 |oclc= |doi=}}, Hudson, P. "Ritual Abuse: Discovery, Diagnosis and Treatment", Saratoga, CA, R&E Publishers, 1991</ref> Eckstein described to Freud experiences similar to the ritual abuse survivors of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, which included sexual abuse and ritual bloodletting. Freud was so disturbed by these disclosures that he stated "we may have before us a residue of a primaeval sexual cult".<ref>{{cite book |author=Masson, J.M| authorlink = Jeffrey Masson|title=The Complete Letters of Sigmund Freud to Wilhelm Fliess, 1887-1904 |publisher=Belknap Press |location=Cambridge, Mass |year= |pages= |isbn=0-674-15421-5 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref><ref name=Kent>{{cite journal |last= Kent |first= S. |year= 1994 | month = October |title= Diabolic Debates: A Reply to David Frankfurter and J. S. La Fontaine |journal= Religion |volume= 24 |issue = 4 |pages= 361-378 |url= http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WWN-45NJDT4-5&_user=10&_origUdi=B6WWN-45PVP6D-9&_fmt=high&_coverDate=10%2F31%2F1994&_rdoc=1&_orig=article&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=b99f59d981b17a1f0a1dfce6838270ac |accessdate= 2008-01-29}}</ref>


The phrase "satanic ritual abuse" first arose in the mid-1980s to describe the disclosures of some children in child protection cases, and some adults in [[psychotherapy]]. In the early 1980s there was an exponential increase in child protection investigations in [[United States|America]], [[United Kingdom|Britain]] and other developed countries due to [[mandatory reporting]] laws and increased public awareness of [[child abuse]]. In a small number of investigations, children disclosed alleged organised and ritualistic forms of [[sexual abuse]] by parents and carergivers,<ref>{{cite book |author=Hechler, David |title=The Battle and the Backlash: The Child Sexual Abuse War |publisher=Macmillan Pub Co |location= |year= |pages= |isbn=0-669-21362-4 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref><ref name=Cozolino1989>{{cite journal | author = Cozolino, L. | year = 1989 | title = The ritual abuse of children: Implications for clinical practice and research | journal = The Journal of Sex Research | volume = 26 | issue = 1 | pages = 131-138}}</ref> claims also made by adults in psychotherapy.<ref name=Van1990>{{cite journal | author = Van Benschoten, S.C. | year = 1990 | title = Multiple personality disorder and satanic ritual abuse: The issue of credibility | journal = Dissociation | volume = 1 | issue = 3 | pages = 13-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Conte, Jon R. |title=Critical issues in child sexual abuse: historical, legal, and psychological perspectives |publisher=Sage Publications |location=Thousand Oaks |year=2002 |pages= |isbn=0761909125 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> These disclosures included descriptions of sexual abuse in the context of Satanic cults, rituals and the use of Satanic iconography, garnering the label "satanic ritual abuse" in the media and some professionals. Clinicians, psychotherapists and social workers have documented clients who describe a history of SRA<ref name = VS>{{cite book |last = Sinason | first = V |title=Treating survivors of satanist abuse |publisher=Routledge |location=New York |year=1994 |pages= |isbn=0-415-10543-9 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref><ref name=Jonker1991>{{cite journal | author = Jonker, F. | coauthors = Jonker-bakker, P. | year = 1991 | title = Experiences with ritualist child sexual abuse: a case study from the Netherlands | journal = Child Abuse and Neglect | volume = 15 | pages = 191-196 | url = http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/recordDetail?accno=EJ429991 | accessdate = 2007-10-20 | pmid =2043971 }}</ref> and a body of literature on the treatment of ritually abused patients, much of which focuses on [[Dissociative identity disorder|dissociative disorders]], has emerged.<ref name="isbn0-88048-478-0">{{cite book |author=Fraser, George C. |title=The Dilemma of Ritual Abuse: Cautions and Guides for Therapists |publisher=American Psychiatric Press |location=Washington, DC |year=1997 |pages= |isbn=0-88048-478-0 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Ross, Colin A. |title=Satanic Ritual Abuse: Principles of Treatment |publisher=University of Toronto Press |location=Toronto |year=1995 |pages= |isbn=0-8020-2857-8 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref>
The phrase "satanic ritual abuse" first arose in the mid-1980s to describe the disclosures of some children in child protection cases, and some adults in [[psychotherapy]]. In the early 1980s there was an exponential increase in child protection investigations in [[United States|America]], [[United Kingdom|Britain]] and other developed countries due to [[mandatory reporting]] laws and increased public awareness of [[child abuse]]. In a small number of investigations, children disclosed alleged organised and ritualistic forms of [[sexual abuse]] by parents and caregivers,<ref>{{cite book |author=Hechler, David |title=The Battle and the Backlash: The Child Sexual Abuse War |publisher=Macmillan Pub Co |location= |year= |pages= |isbn=0-669-21362-4 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref><ref name=Cozolino1989>{{cite journal | author = Cozolino, L. | year = 1989 | title = The ritual abuse of children: Implications for clinical practice and research | journal = The Journal of Sex Research | volume = 26 | issue = 1 | pages = 131-138}}</ref> claims also made by adults in psychotherapy.<ref name=Van1990>{{cite journal | author = Van Benschoten, S.C. | year = 1990 | title = Multiple personality disorder and satanic ritual abuse: The issue of credibility | journal = Dissociation | volume = 1 | issue = 3 | pages = 13-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Conte, Jon R. |title=Critical issues in child sexual abuse: historical, legal, and psychological perspectives |publisher=Sage Publications |location=Thousand Oaks |year=2002 |pages= |isbn=0761909125 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> These disclosures included descriptions of sexual abuse in the context of Satanic cults, rituals and the use of Satanic iconography, garnering the label "satanic ritual abuse" in the media and some professionals. Clinicians, psychotherapists and social workers have documented clients who describe a history of SRA<ref name = VS>{{cite book |last = Sinason | first = V |title=Treating survivors of satanist abuse |publisher=Routledge |location=New York |year=1994 |pages= |isbn=0-415-10543-9 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref><ref name=Jonker1991>{{cite journal | author = Jonker, F. | coauthors = Jonker-bakker, P. | year = 1991 | title = Experiences with ritualist child sexual abuse: a case study from the Netherlands | journal = Child Abuse and Neglect | volume = 15 | pages = 191-196 | url = http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/recordDetail?accno=EJ429991 | accessdate = 2007-10-20 | pmid =2043971 | doi = 10.1016/0145-2134(91)90064-K}}</ref> and a body of literature on the treatment of ritually abused patients, much of which focuses on [[Dissociative identity disorder|dissociative disorders]], has emerged.<ref name="isbn0-88048-478-0">{{cite book |author=Fraser, George C. |title=The Dilemma of Ritual Abuse: Cautions and Guides for Therapists |publisher=American Psychiatric Press |location=Washington, DC |year=1997 |pages= |isbn=0-88048-478-0 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Ross, Colin A. |title=Satanic Ritual Abuse: Principles of Treatment |publisher=University of Toronto Press |location=Toronto |year=1995 |pages= |isbn=0-8020-2857-8 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref>


Accounts of SRA were amongst the first wave of autobiographical literature on child abuse that emerged in the early 1980s. One of the best known is ''[[Michelle Remembers]]'', published in 1980, written by [[Michelle Smith (author)|Michelle Smith]] and her psychiatrist (and later husband) [[Lawrence Pazder]]. [[Michelle_Remembers#Criticism_and_debunking|Investigations]] of the events discussed in the book revealed inconsistencies and contradictory facts which challenge the book's accuracy.<ref name="Mail on Sunday">{{cite news |author = Denna Allen and Janet Midwinter |title = Michelle Remembers: The Debunking of a Myth |work = [[The Mail on Sunday]] |date = September 30 1990}}</ref> Those who believe that SRA does not exist have argued that claims of SRA only surfaced following the publication of Michelle Remembers<ref name="Charles">.
Accounts of SRA were amongst the first wave of autobiographical literature on child abuse that emerged in the early 1980s. One of the best known is ''[[Michelle Remembers]]'', published in 1980, written by [[Michelle Smith (author)|Michelle Smith]] and her psychiatrist (and later husband) [[Lawrence Pazder]]. [[Michelle_Remembers#Criticism_and_debunking|Investigations]] of the events discussed in the book revealed inconsistencies and contradictory facts which challenge the book's accuracy.<ref name="Mail on Sunday">{{cite news |author = Denna Allen and Janet Midwinter |title = Michelle Remembers: The Debunking of a Myth |work = [[The Mail on Sunday]] |date = September 30 1990}}</ref> Those who believe that SRA does not exist have argued that claims of SRA only surfaced following the publication of Michelle Remembers<ref name="Charles">.
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}}</ref> Others have noted historical accounts similar to SRA in the early-to-mid 20th century and dating back to medieval and ancient times.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Kent |first= Stephen |year= 1993 |title= Deviant Scripturalism and Ritual Satanic Abuse Part One: Possible Judeo-Christian Influences |journal= Religion |issue= 23 |pages= 229 - 241}}</ref> For David Frankfurter, the SRA panic repeated many of the ancient features of conspiracy theory panics.<ref name=Frankfurter2001/>
}}</ref> Others have noted historical accounts similar to SRA in the early-to-mid 20th century and dating back to medieval and ancient times.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Kent |first= Stephen |year= 1993 |title= Deviant Scripturalism and Ritual Satanic Abuse Part One: Possible Judeo-Christian Influences |journal= Religion |issue= 23 |pages= 229 - 241}}</ref> For David Frankfurter, the SRA panic repeated many of the ancient features of conspiracy theory panics.<ref name=Frankfurter2001/>


The existence of SRA remains unclear, with varying degrees of proof, corroboration and testimony found when investigating claims made by individuals disclosing SRA,<ref name = Utah>{{cite web | url = http://www.saferchildren.net/print/utahrataskforce.pdf | date= 1992-05-01 | accessdate = 2007-11-26 | title = Report of Utah State Task Force on Ritual Abuse | publisher = Utah Governor's Commission for Women and Families}}</ref> and a similarly mixed legacy of legal precedent, with only a minority portion of total allegations resulting in criminal conviction or other actions by the state. By the early 1990s, the phrase "satanic ritual abuse" was featured in media coverage of ritualistic abuse but its use decreased among professionals in favour of more nuanced terms such as "multi-dimensional child sex rings"<ref name = Lanning/> "ritual/ritualistic",<ref>{{cite book |author=Hudson, Pamela S. |title=Ritual child abuse: discovery, diagnosis, and treatment |publisher=R&E Publishers |location=Saratoga, Calif |year=1991 |pages= |isbn=0882478672 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> "organised"<ref name="isbn1-85742-284-8"/> or "sadistic" abuse,<ref name = VS/> that acknowledged the complexity of abuse cases with multiple perpetrators and victims without projecting a religious framework onto perpetrators. The issue is further obscured by reports of "pseudo-satanists" who do not believe in the rituals, but use the trappings to coerce and terrify victims.<ref name = Utah/>
The existence of SRA remains unclear, with varying degrees of proof, corroboration and testimony found when investigating claims made by individuals disclosing SRA,<ref name = Utah>{{cite web | url = http://www.saferchildren.net/print/utahrataskforce.pdf | date= 1992-05-01 | accessdate = 2007-11-26 | title = Report of Utah State Task Force on Ritual Abuse | publisher = Utah Governor's Commission for Women and Families}}</ref> and a similarly mixed legacy of legal precedent, with only a minority portion of total allegations resulting in criminal conviction or other actions by the state. By the early 1990s, the phrase "satanic ritual abuse" was featured in media coverage of ritualistic abuse but its use decreased among professionals in favour of more nuanced terms such as "multi-dimensional child sex rings"<ref name = Lanning>{{cite web | url = http://www.religioustolerance.org/fbi_01.htm | format = html | language = english | first = Kenneth V. | last = Lanning | title = Lanning's Guide to Allegations of Childhood Ritual Abuse | year = 1992 }}</ref> "ritual/ritualistic",<ref>{{cite book |author=Hudson, Pamela S. |title=Ritual child abuse: discovery, diagnosis, and treatment |publisher=R&E Publishers |location=Saratoga, Calif |year=1991 |pages= |isbn=0882478672 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> "organised"<ref name=Bibby>{{cite book |author=Bibby, Peter A. |title=Organised Abuse: The Current Debate |publisher=Arena |location=Aldershot, England |year= |pages= |isbn=1-85742-284-8 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> or "sadistic" abuse,<ref name = VS/> that acknowledged the complexity of abuse cases with multiple perpetrators and victims without projecting a religious framework onto perpetrators. The issue is further obscured by reports of "pseudo-satanists" who do not believe in the rituals, but use the trappings to coerce and terrify victims.<ref name = Utah/><ref name = Lanning2>{{cite book|last=Lanning|first=K|title=Satanic Ritual Abuse of Children Is Not Widespread|editor=Bender D; Leone, B|publisher=Greenhaven Press, Inc|date=1994|series=Opposing Viewpoints Series | url = http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Search/Abstracts.aspx?id=159841&library=Publications_Lib&query=%26lt%3BRecordset%26gt%3B%26lt%3BLibrary%20name%3D%26quot%3BPublications_Lib%26quot%3B%26gt%3B%26lt%3BField%20name%3D%26quot%3BDOC_BODY%26quot%3B%26gt%3B%26lt%3BQuery%26gt%3B%26lt%3B%21%5BCDATA%5BLanning%5D%5D%26gt%3B%26lt%3B/Query%26gt%3B%26lt%3B/Field%26gt%3B%26lt%3BField%20name%3D%26quot%3Bis_full_text%26quot%3B%26gt%3B%26lt%3BQuery%26gt%3B%26lt%3B%21%5BCDATA%5BN%5D%5D%26gt%3B%26lt%3B/Query%26gt%3B%26lt%3B/Field%26gt%3B%26lt%3B/Library%26gt%3B%26lt%3B/Recordset%26gt%3B|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref>


==Evidence==
==Support==
The prevalence of any form of sexual abuse is difficult to quantify, and this is particularly the case in regard to SRA. There is little consensus on a definition of SRA.<ref name = Lanning>{{cite web | url = http://www.religioustolerance.org/fbi_01.htm | format = html | language = english | first = Kenneth V. | last = Lanning | title = Lanning's Guide to Allegations of Childhood Ritual Abuse | year = 1992 }}</ref> Nonetheless, there are some research findings that shed some light on the prevalence of SRA.
The prevalence of any form of sexual abuse is difficult to quantify, and this is particularly the case in regard to SRA. There is little consensus on a definition of SRA.<ref name = Lanning/> Nonetheless, there are some research findings that shed some light on the prevalence of SRA.


Research in [[Australia]] and [[United Kingdom|Britain]] suggests that between a third and a quarter of psychotherapists, social workers and counselors have encountered at least one client who discloses allegations of ritualistic abuse.<ref name=Andrews1995>{{cite journal | author = Andrews, B. | coauthors = Morton, J.; Bekerian, D.A.; Brewin, C.R.; Davies, G.M.; Mollon, P. | year = 1995 | title = The recovery of memories in clinical practice: Experiences and beliefs of British Psychological Society practitioners | journal = The Psychologist | volume = 8 | pages = 209-214}}</ref><ref name=Creighton1993>{{cite journal | author = Creighton, S.J. | year = 1993 | title = Organized abuse: NSPCC experience | journal = Child Abuse Review| volume = 2 | pages = 232-232}}</ref><ref name=Schmuttermaier1999>{{cite journal | author = Schmuttermaier, J. | coauthors = Veno, A. | year = 1999 | title = Counselors' beliefs about ritual abuse: an Australian study | journal = Journal of Child Sexual Abuse | volume = 8 | issue = 3 | pages = p45-63 | url = http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/recordDetail?accno=EJ607651 | accessdate = 2007-10-22}}</ref> These findings are supported by a comprehensive survey undertaken in America in 1996 in which a minority of psychologist members of the [[American Psychological Association]] who responded had encountered at least one client telling of "ritualistic or religion-related" abuse, and the majority believed their clients.<ref name=Bottoms1996>{{cite journal | author = Bottoms, B.L. | coauthors = Shaver, P.R.; Goodman, G.S. | year = 1996 | title = An analysis of ritualistic and religion-related child abuse allegations | journal = Law and Human Behavior | volume = 20 | issue = 1 | pages = 1-34 | url = http://www.springerlink.com/index/Q40489P813183L15.pdf | accessdate = 2007-10-22}}</ref> Over 12 000 cases of clients with a history of organised and ritualistic abuse were reported by respondents; however, where the survey asked respondents to detail empirical or corroborating evidence for such histories, the researchers felt that there was insufficient basis to conclude that these histories were based on factual events.<ref name=Bottoms1996/>
Research in [[Australia]] and [[United Kingdom|Britain]] suggests that between a third and a quarter of psychotherapists, social workers and counselors have encountered at least one client who discloses allegations of ritualistic abuse.<ref name=Andrews1995>{{cite journal | author = Andrews, B. | coauthors = Morton, J.; Bekerian, D.A.; Brewin, C.R.; Davies, G.M.; Mollon, P. | year = 1995 | title = The recovery of memories in clinical practice: Experiences and beliefs of British Psychological Society practitioners | journal = The Psychologist | volume = 8 | pages = 209-214}}</ref><ref name=Creighton1993>{{cite journal | author = Creighton, S.J. | year = 1993 | title = Organized abuse: NSPCC experience | journal = Child Abuse Review| volume = 2 | pages = 232-232 | doi = 10.1002/car.2380020405}}</ref><ref name=Schmuttermaier1999>{{cite journal | author = Schmuttermaier, J. | coauthors = Veno, A. | year = 1999 | title = Counselors' beliefs about ritual abuse: an Australian study | journal = Journal of Child Sexual Abuse | volume = 8 | issue = 3 | pages = p45-63 | url = http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/recordDetail?accno=EJ607651 | accessdate = 2007-10-22}}</ref> These findings are supported by a comprehensive survey undertaken in America in 1996 in which a minority of psychologist members of the [[American Psychological Association]] who responded had encountered at least one client telling of "ritualistic or religion-related" abuse, and the majority believed their clients.<ref name=Bottoms1996>{{cite journal | author = Bottoms, B.L. | coauthors = Shaver, P.R.; Goodman, G.S. | year = 1996 | title = An analysis of ritualistic and religion-related child abuse allegations | journal = Law and Human Behavior | volume = 20 | issue = 1 | pages = 1-34 | url = http://www.springerlink.com/index/Q40489P813183L15.pdf | accessdate = 2007-10-22 | doi = 10.1007/BF01499130}}</ref> Over 12 000 cases of clients with a history of organised and ritualistic abuse were reported by respondents; however, where the survey asked respondents to detail empirical or corroborating evidence for such histories, the researchers felt that there was insufficient basis to conclude that these histories were based on factual events.<ref name=Bottoms1996/>


In the late 1980s, a BBC survey of British police forces found that, of 186 cases of network abuse where either multiple abusers or multiple abused children were known to each other, only five involved claims of ritual or satanic abuse.<ref>{{cite news | last = Brindle | first = D. | date= 1990-10-19 | title = Ritual abuse occurs in 1 in 40 child sex rings| publisher = [[The Guardian]]}}</ref> In another British study, 29% of the 211 cases of organised [[child sexual abuse]] reported to researchers by police, social and welfare agencies from the period of 1988 to 1991 were designated "ritual abuse" cases by respondents.<ref>{{citation | last = Gallagher | first = B | coauthors = Hughes, B. & Parker, H | year = 1996 | title = The nature and extent of known cases of organised child sexual abuse in England and Wales}}; in {{cite book | first = P. (ed.) | last = Bibby | title = Organised Abuse: The Current Debate | publisher = Arena | isbn = 1857422848 }}</ref> An estimated 93% of [[Psychotherapy|therapists]] working with alleged ritual abuse survivors in the early and mid 1990's believed that ritual abuse occurs.<ref name = Noblitt>{{cite book |author=Perskin, Pamela Sue; Noblitt, James Randall |title=Cult and ritual abuse: its history, anthropology, and recent discovery in contemporary America |publisher=Praeger |location=New York |year=2000 |pages= |isbn=0-275-96665-8 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> Studies have shown a connection between [[dissociative identity disorder]] and SRA, and some psychologists describe ritualistic abuse in substantiated cases of day care sexual abuse.<ref name = SVB>{{cite journal | last = van Benschoten | first = Susan C. | year = 1990 | url = https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/dspace/bitstream/1794/1492/1/Diss_3_1_5_OCR.pdf | format = pdf | language = english | title = Multiple personality disorder and Satanic ritual abuse: the issue of credibility | journal = Dissociation | volume = 3 | issue = 1 | pages = 22-30}}</ref><ref name = Noblitt/><ref name = Schumacher>{{cite journal | author = Schumacher, R.B. | coauthors = Carlson, R.S. | year = 1999 | month = September | title = Variables and risk factors associated with child abuse in daycare settings. | journal = Child Abuse & Neglect | volume = 23 | issue = 9 | pages = 891-8 | publisher = Elsevier Science Inc. | location = Amsterdam, The Netherlands | issn = 0145-2134 | pmid = 10505902}}</ref><ref name = Finkelhor>{{Citation | last = Finkelhor | first = David | last2 = Williams | first2 = Linda Meyer | last3 = Burns | first3 = Nanci | last4 = Kalinowski | first4 = Michael | year = 1988 | date = March, 1988 | contribution-url = http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED292552&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED292552 | title = Sexual Abuse in Day Care: A National Study. Executive Summary | place = Durham, NH, USA | publisher = University of New ampshire, Family Research Laboritory | pages = 18 | id = Eric # ED292552 | url = http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED292552 | accessdate = 22 December, 2007}}</ref> Some of this research has, in turn, been criticized for an overly liberal definition of what constitutes a "substantiated" case of ritual abuse.<ref>{{cite book | last = de Young | first = Mary | title = The Day Care Ritual Abuse Moral Panic | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=_e8ZkJBtz0EC | year = 2004 | publisher = McFarland and Company | location = Jefferson, North Carolina, United States | isbn = 0786418303 | pages = 102 }}</ref> In day-care settings, a satanic overtone was often associated with ritual abuse, and ritual abuse coupled with sexual abuse was found to be the most devastating.<ref name = Schumacher/> These effects were found not to be temporary and multiple perpetrator abuse was found to be worse.<ref name = Schumacher/> The failure of center staff to report suspicion of abuse by parents of staff was mentioned as a worry by several researchers.<ref name = Schumacher/>
A British study found that of 29% of the 211 cases of organised [[child sexual abuse]] reported to researchers by police, social and welfare agencies from the period of 1988 to 1991 were designated "ritual abuse" cases by respondents.<ref>{{citation | last = Gallagher | first = B | coauthors = Hughes, B. & Parker, H | year = 1996 | title = The nature and extent of known cases of organised child sexual abuse in England and Wales}}; in {{cite book | first = P. (ed.) | last = Bibby | title = Organised Abuse: The Current Debate | publisher = Arena | isbn = 1857422848 }}</ref> Another British survey in 1994 found an average of 21 out of 242 abuse cases investigated per year in [[England]] and [[Wales]] involved involved ritual or satanic abuse. In the ritual abuse cases the rituals were found to be secondary to the sexual abuse. In cases involving satanic abuse, the satanic allegations by younger children were influenced by adults, and the concerns over the satanic aspects were found to be compelling due to cultural attraction of the concept, but distracting from the actual harm caused to the abuse victims.<ref>{{cite book |author=La Fontaine, J S. |title=The extent and nature of organised and ritual abuse: research findings |publisher=HMSO |location=London |year=1994 |pages= |isbn=0-11-321797-8 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=2008-04-29|url = http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/Abstract.aspx?id=157278 }}</ref>
In a 1995 report by the Department of Justice in Canada, ritual abuse is described as "severe physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual abuse used systematically with symbols, ceremonies and/or group activities that have a religious, magical or supernatural connotation." The report indicates that victims of ritual abuse are often afraid to report the incidents, and that often their reports are not believed. <ref name=dojcan>{{cite web|url=http://www.acjnet.org/docs/famvidoj.html |title=Family Violence in Rural, Farm and Remote Canada |authors=The Canadian Farm Women's Network |publisher=Department of Justice Canada |date=March 3,1995}}</ref>
An estimated 93% of [[Psychotherapy|therapists]] working with alleged ritual abuse survivors in the early and mid 1990's believed that ritual abuse occurs.<ref name = Noblitt>{{cite book |author=Perskin, Pamela Sue; Noblitt, James Randall |title=Cult and ritual abuse: its history, anthropology, and recent discovery in contemporary America |publisher=Praeger |location=New York |year=2000 |pages= |isbn=0-275-96665-8 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> Studies have shown a connection between [[dissociative identity disorder]] and SRA, and some psychologists describe ritualistic abuse in substantiated cases of day care sexual abuse.<ref name = SVB>{{cite journal | last = van Benschoten | first = Susan C. | year = 1990 | url = https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/dspace/bitstream/1794/1492/1/Diss_3_1_5_OCR.pdf | format = PDF | language = english | title = Multiple personality disorder and Satanic ritual abuse: the issue of credibility | journal = Dissociation | volume = 3 | issue = 1 | pages = 22-30}}</ref><ref name = Noblitt/><ref name = Schumacher>{{cite journal | author = Schumacher, R.B. | coauthors = Carlson, R.S. | year = 1999 | month = September | title = Variables and risk factors associated with child abuse in daycare settings. | journal = Child Abuse & Neglect | volume = 23 | issue = 9 | pages = 891-8 | publisher = Elsevier Science Inc. | location = Amsterdam, The Netherlands | issn = 0145-2134 | pmid = 10505902 | doi = 10.1016/S0145-2134(99)00057-5}}</ref><ref name = Finkelhor>{{Citation | last = Finkelhor | first = David | last2 = Williams | first2 = Linda Meyer | last3 = Burns | first3 = Nanci | last4 = Kalinowski | first4 = Michael | year = 1988 | date = March, 1988 | contribution-url = http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED292552&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED292552 | title = Sexual Abuse in Day Care: A National Study. Executive Summary | place = Durham, NH, USA | publisher = University of New ampshire, Family Research Laboritory | pages = 18 | id = Eric # ED292552 | url = http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED292552 | accessdate = 2007-12-22}}</ref> Some of this research has, in turn, been criticized for an overly liberal definition of what constitutes a "substantiated" case of ritual abuse.<ref>{{cite book | last = de Young | first = Mary | title = The Day Care Ritual Abuse Moral Panic | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=_e8ZkJBtz0EC | year = 2004 | publisher = McFarland and Company | location = Jefferson, North Carolina, United States | isbn = 0786418303 | pages = 102 }}</ref> In day-care settings, a satanic overtone was often associated with ritual abuse, and ritual abuse coupled with sexual abuse was found to be the most devastating.<ref name = Schumacher/> These effects were found not to be temporary and multiple perpetrator abuse was found to be worse.<ref name = Schumacher/> The failure of center staff to report suspicion of abuse by parents of staff was mentioned as a worry by several researchers.<ref name = Schumacher/>
Some theorists, called "apologists", believe that reports of satanic cult abuse either must or could be true and there is some evidence to support this. <ref name=Paley>{{cite journal |last=Paley |first=K. |year=1992 |month=June |title=Dream wars: a case study of a woman with multiple personality disorder |journal=Dissociation | volume = 5 | issue = 2 | format = pdf | pages = 111-116 | url = https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/dspace/bitstream/1794/1646/1/Diss_5_2_9_OCR.pdf |accessdate= 2008-01-10}}</ref> Research with clients disclosing abuse has found higher levels of trauma and symptoms compared to both non-abused and non-satanically abused peers; irrespective of the reality of SRA, individuals reporting SRA appear to be traumatized.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}
Some theorists, called "apologists", believe that reports of satanic cult abuse either must or could be true and there is some evidence to support this. <ref name=Paley>{{cite journal |last=Paley |first=K. |year=1992 |month=June |title=Dream wars: a case study of a woman with multiple personality disorder |journal=Dissociation | volume = 5 | issue = 2 | format = PDF | pages = 111-116 | url = https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/dspace/bitstream/1794/1646/1/Diss_5_2_9_OCR.pdf |accessdate= 2008-01-10}}</ref>


===Skepticism===
==Criticism==
There is a diverse body of skeptical literature on SRA. [[Sociology|Sociologists]] and [[journalist]]s noted the vigorous nature with which some evangelical activists and groups were using claims of SRA to further their religious and political goals.<ref>{{cite book |author=Victor, Jeffrey S. |title=Satanic panic: the creation of a contemporary legend |publisher=Open Court |location=La Salle, Ill |year=1993 |pages= |isbn=0812691911 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> Other commentators suggested that the entire phenomenon may be evidence of a "[[moral panic]]" over Satanism and child abuse.<ref name=Deyoung1996>{{cite journal | author = Deyoung, M. | year = 1996 | title = A painted devil: Constructing the satanic ritual abuse of children problem | journal = Aggression and Violent Behavior | volume = 1 | issue = 3 | pages = 235-248 | url = http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/1359178995000097 | accessdate = 2007-11-20}}</ref> Skeptical explanations for allegations of SRA have included an attempt by [[Radical feminism|"radical feminists"]] to undermine the nuclear family,<ref>{{cite book |author=Underwager, Ralph C.; Wakefield, Hollida |title=Return of the furies: an investigation into recovered memory therapy |publisher=Open Court |location=La Salle, Ill |year=1995 |pages= |isbn=0812692721 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> a backlash against working women,<ref>{{cite book |author=Snedeker, Michael R.; Nathan, Debbie |title=Satan's Silence: Ritual Abuse and the Making of a Modern American Witch Hunt |publisher=Authors Choice Press |location=Lincoln, Neb |year= |pages= |isbn=0595189555 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> homophobic attacks on gay childcare workers,<ref>{{cite book |author=Hood, Lynley |title=A City Possessed: The Christchurch Civic Creche Case |publisher=Longacre Press |location= |year= |pages= |isbn=1877135623 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> a universal need to believe in evil,<ref name=Frankfurter2001>{{cite journal | author = Frankfurter, D. | year = 2001 | title = Ritual as Accusation and Atrocity: Satanic Ritual Abuse, Gnostic Libertinism, and Primal Murders | journal = History of Religions | volume = 40 | issue = 4 | pages = 352-380 | url = http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0018-2710(200105)40%3A4%3C352%3ARAAAAS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-0 | accessdate = 2007-11-20}}</ref> fear of alternative spiritualities<ref>{{cite book |author=La Fontaine, J. S. |title=Speak of the Devil: allegations of satanic abuse in Britain |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge, UK |year=1998 |pages= |isbn=0521629349 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> "end of the millennium" anxieties,<ref name = Hystories>{{cite book |author=Showalter, Elaine |title=Hystories: hysterical epidemics and modern media |publisher=Columbia University Press |location=New York |year=1997 |pages= |isbn=0231104596 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> or a transient form of temporal lobe epilepsy.<ref name=Paley2001>{{cite journal | author = Paley, J. | year = 2001 | title = Satanist abuse and alien abduction: A comparative analysis theorizing temporal lobe activity as a possible connection between anomalous memories | journal = British Journal of Social Work | volume = 27 | issue = 1 | pages = 43-70 | issn = 0045-3102 }}</ref>
There is a diverse body of skeptical literature on SRA. [[Sociology|Sociologists]] and [[journalist]]s noted the vigorous nature with which some evangelical activists and groups were using claims of SRA to further their religious and political goals.<ref>{{cite book |author=Victor, Jeffrey S. |title=Satanic panic: the creation of a contemporary legend |publisher=Open Court |location=La Salle, Ill |year=1993 |pages=|isbn=0812691911 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> Other commentators suggested that the entire phenomenon may be evidence of a "[[moral panic]]" over Satanism and child abuse.<ref name=Deyoung1996>{{cite journal | author = Deyoung, M. | year = 1996 | title = A painted devil: Constructing the satanic ritual abuse of children problem | journal = Aggression and Violent Behavior | volume = 1 | issue = 3 | pages = 235-248 | url = http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/1359178995000097 | accessdate = 2007-11-20 | doi = 10.1016/1359-1789(95)00009-7}}</ref> Skeptical explanations for allegations of SRA have included an attempt by [[Radical feminism|"radical feminists"]] to undermine the [[nuclear family]],<ref>{{cite book |author=Underwager, Ralph C.; Wakefield, Hollida |title=Return of the furies: an investigation into recovered memory therapy |publisher=Open Court |location=La Salle, Ill |year=1995 |pages= |isbn=0812692721 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> a backlash against working women,<ref>{{cite book |author=Snedeker, Michael R.; Nathan, Debbie |title=Satan's Silence: Ritual Abuse and the Making of a Modern American Witch Hunt |publisher=Authors Choice Press |location=Lincoln, Neb |year= |pages= |isbn=0595189555 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> homophobic attacks on gay childcare workers,<ref>{{cite book |author=Hood, Lynley |title=A City Possessed: The Christchurch Civic Creche Case |publisher=Longacre Press |location= |year= |pages= |isbn=1877135623 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> a universal need to believe in evil,<ref name=Frankfurter2001>{{cite journal | author = Frankfurter, D. | year = 2001 | title = Ritual as Accusation and Atrocity: Satanic Ritual Abuse, Gnostic Libertinism, and Primal Murders | journal = History of Religions | volume = 40 | issue = 4 | pages = 352-380 | url = http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0018-2710(200105)40%3A4%3C352%3ARAAAAS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-0 | accessdate = 2007-11-20 | doi = 10.1086/463648}}</ref> fear of alternative spiritualities<ref>{{cite book |author=La Fontaine, J. S. |title=Speak of the Devil: allegations of satanic abuse in Britain |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge, UK |year=1998 |pages= |isbn=0521629349 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> "end of the millennium" anxieties,<ref name = Hystories>{{cite book |author=Showalter, Elaine |title=Hystories: hysterical epidemics and modern media |publisher=Columbia University Press |location=New York |year=1997 |pages= |isbn=0231104596 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> or a transient form of temporal lobe epilepsy.<ref name=Paley2001>{{cite journal | author = Paley, J. | year = 2001 | title = Satanist abuse and alien abduction: A comparative analysis theorizing temporal lobe activity as a possible connection between anomalous memories | journal = British Journal of Social Work | volume = 27 | issue = 1 | pages = 43-70 | issn = 0045-3102 }}</ref>


Skeptics have treated allegations of SRA as "viral agents" or rashes spread through conferences, seminars, books, television programs and court cases, and professionals who believe in SRA.<ref>Nathan, D. (1990). "Never Forget the McMartin Case." The San Francisco Chronicle. 12 August: 20/Z1, Guilliatt, R. (1995). "Daughter Claims Memory of Ritual Abuse." Sydney Morning Herald. 13 May, Goodlin, L. (2002). "Recovered Memory; Unproven strategy to find evidence of past sexual abuse." The Post-Standard Syracuse. 24 September, New York: A9, Radford, B. (2004). "Canadian Defendants Victorious in Ritual Abuse Case." Skeptical Inquirer 28(2): 12</ref> Cases of SRA have been described as “psychogenic syndromes" or "hysterical epidemics",<ref name = Hystories/> infectious “memetic” agents,<ref>{{cite journal | last = Acocella | first = J | title = The politics of hysteria | journal = [[The New Yorker]] | url = http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1998/04/06/1998_04_06_064_TNY_LIBRY_000015295 | accessdate = 2008-02-22 | year = 1998 | volume = 6 | pages = 64-9 }}</ref><!-- <ref> {{cite journal |author=Ross SE |title="Memes" as infectious agents in psychosomatic illness |journal=Ann. Intern. Med. |volume=131 |issue=11 |pages=867–71 |year=1999 |pmid=10610639 |doi=| url = http://www.annals.org/cgi/reprint/131/11/867.pdf | format = pdf}}</ref> --> symptoms of a “mediasomatic ailment”,<ref>Nesvisky, M. (1997). "Mediasomatic ailments." The Jerusalem Post. 22 August: 22.</ref> or simply the “madness in the air”.<ref>Appleyard, B. (1998). "Lost in the dark shadows of child abuse." The Sunday Times. 31 May.</ref> In [[2006]] David Frankfurter, professor of religious studies and history at the University of New Hampshire published an academic study on SRA. He concludes that "No [[forensic evidence]]" on SRA "has ever been found".<ref name="Evil Incarnate">{{cite book | last = Frankfurter | first = David | authorlink = | title = Evil Incarnate: Rumors of Demonic Conspiracy and Ritual Abuse in History'' | publisher = Princeton University Press | date = 2006
Skeptics have treated allegations of SRA as "viral agents" or rashes spread through conferences, seminars, books, television programs and court cases, and professionals who believe in SRA.<ref>Nathan, D. (1990). "Never Forget the McMartin Case." The San Francisco Chronicle. 12 August: 20/Z1, Guilliatt, R. (1995). "Daughter Claims Memory of Ritual Abuse." Sydney Morning Herald. 13 May, Goodlin, L. (2002). "Recovered Memory; Unproven strategy to find evidence of past sexual abuse." The Post-Standard Syracuse. 24 September, New York: A9, Radford, B. (2004). "Canadian Defendants Victorious in Ritual Abuse Case." Skeptical Inquirer 28(2): 12</ref> Cases of SRA have been described as “psychogenic syndromes" or "hysterical epidemics",<ref name = Hystories/> infectious “memetic” agents,<ref>{{cite journal | last = Acocella | first = J | title = The politics of hysteria | journal = [[The New Yorker]] | url = http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1998/04/06/1998_04_06_064_TNY_LIBRY_000015295 | accessdate = 2008-02-22 | year = 1998 | volume = 6 | pages = 64-9 }}</ref><!-- <ref> {{cite journal |author=Ross SE |title="Memes" as infectious agents in psychosomatic illness |journal=Ann. Intern. Med. |volume=131 |issue=11 |pages=867–71 |year=1999 |pmid=10610639 |doi=| url = http://www.annals.org/cgi/reprint/131/11/867.pdf | format = PDF}}</ref> --> symptoms of a “mediasomatic ailment”,<ref>Nesvisky, M. (1997). "Mediasomatic ailments." The Jerusalem Post. 22 August: 22.</ref> or simply the “madness in the air”.<ref>Appleyard, B. (1998). "Lost in the dark shadows of child abuse." The Sunday Times. 31 May.</ref> In [[2006]] David Frankfurter, professor of religious studies and history at the University of New Hampshire published an academic study on SRA. He concludes that "No [[forensic evidence]]" on SRA "has ever been found".<ref name="Evil Incarnate">{{cite book | last = Frankfurter | first = David | authorlink = | title = Evil Incarnate: Rumors of Demonic Conspiracy and Ritual Abuse in History'' | publisher = Princeton University Press | date = 2006
| location = Princeton, NJ | pages = | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 0691113505}}</ref><!-- p. 213-->
| location = Princeton, NJ | pages = | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 0691113505}}</ref><!-- p. 213-->


Kenneth Lanning, an expert in the investigation of child sexual abuse,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress02/heimbach050102.htm|title= Testimonyof Michael J. Heimbach, Crimes Against Children Unit|last=Heimbach|first=MJ|date=2002-05-01|publisher=United States Congress|accessdate=2008-04-30}}</ref> has stated that child molesters may "use the trappings of Satanism to frighten young victims", but the actual claims for satanic conspiracies and human sacrifices are unrealistic and the allegations themselves were unsubstantiated, difficult to prove or disprove, and call the credibility of the child victims into question. Lanning described what he termed "four dynamics" in common among reported cases of Satanic ritual abuse of children: "multiple young victims, multiple offenders, fear as the controlling tactic, and bizarre or ritualistic activity" and stated that he considers some of what the victims alleged to be either untrue or physically impossible. Lanning suggested possible reasons for reports by adults of events that he considered did not appear to be true include "pathological distortion, traumatic memory, normal childhood fears and fantasies, misperception, and confusion."<ref name = Lanning2/>
{{Cquote|I close this book by returning to a point in the introduction: that historically verifiable atrocities take place not in the ceremonies of some evil realm or as expressions of some ontological evil force, but rather in the course of ''purging'' evil."<ref name="Evil Incarnate"/><!-- p. 224 -->}}

⚫
The official [[Church of Satan]] forbids causing harm to children in its [[Church_of_Satan#The_Eleven_Satanic_Rules_of_the_Earth|Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth]].


One survey in the United States found that of 2709 practicing [[Clinical psychology|clinical psychologists]], 1908 had no patients reporting SRA, 785 found one to two cases, and sixteen had treated more than one hundred patients reporting SRA, suggesting that a minority of therapists may be "highly predisposed" to see a disturbed clients as suffering from SRA.<ref>Victor, 1993, p. 257-8</ref>
==SRA in the courts==
Elements of Satanist ritual have featured in some [[List of satanic ritual abuse allegations| ritual abuse allegations of child abuse]]. Certain countries have had isolated events in which abuse or murder took place with satanic ritual elements, including the [[United States]]<ref>{{cite news | title = First charged in devil worshiping rituals convicted | publisher = [[The Associated Press]] | date = 2007-12-4 | url = http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=7449933 | accessdate = 5 December 2007}}</ref> and [[Brazil]]<ref>{{cite news |author=Todd Lewan |title=Satanic Cult Killings Spread Fear in Southern Brazil |publisher=The Associated Press, 26 |date=October 1992}}</ref><ref>{{ cite news |author=Gamini, Gabriella |title=Seer for trial in voodoo murders |publisher=The Times |date=September 9, 2003}}</ref>. Other cases and allegations have been found in [[Argentina]], [[Australia]], [[Belgium]], [[Ireland]], [[Italy]], [[The Netherlands]], [[South Africa]] and the [[United Kingdom]]. <!-- In America and [[United Kingdom|Britain]] journalists framed the charges against the defendants as evidence of a [[moral panic]] and [[mass hysteria]]; child protection workers and social workers involved were bound by their professional codes of confidentiality and unable to comment on the specifics of the cases.<ref>{{cite book |author=Kitzinger, Jenny |title=Framing abuse: media influence and public understanding of sexual violence against children |publisher=Pluto |location= |year=2004 |pages= |isbn=0745323316 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> -->Some of the trials attracted significant media attention, and they were often characterised by acquittals, hung juries, and successful appeals. Others resulted in conviction or loss of parental rights. The failure of many high-profile cases generated worldwide media attention, and came to play a central feature in the growing controversies over child abuse, memory and the law.<ref name="isbn0393702545 ">{{cite book |author=Hammond, D. Corydon; Brown, Daniel P.; Scheflin, Alan W. |title=Memory, trauma treatment, and the law |publisher=W.W. Norton |location=New York |year=1998 |pages= |isbn=0393702545 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref><ref name="isbn0745323316 ">{{cite book |author=Kitzinger, Jenny |title=Framing abuse: media influence and public understanding of sexual violence against children |publisher=Pluto |location= |year=2004 |pages= |isbn=0745323316 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> Public anxiety that an innocent adult could be subject to prosecution for sexual abuse based on false testimony was inflamed by the bizarre nature of children’s allegations in ritual abuse cases. Some community groups, such as the [[False Memory Syndrome Foundation]], lobbied the press and policy-makers to contest accounts of organised and ritualistic abuse, whilst clinicians, police and healthcare workers struggled to accommodate cases of satanic ritual abuse within their professional practice.<ref name="isbn1-85742-284-8">{{cite book |author=Bibby, Peter A. |title=Organised Abuse: The Current Debate |publisher=Arena |location=Aldershot, England |year= |pages= |isbn=1-85742-284-8 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref>


⚫
The official [[Church of Satan]] forbids causing harm to children in its [[Church of Satan#The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth|Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth]].
During the early 1980s, some courts attempted ''ad hoc'' accommodations to address the anxieties of child witnesses in relation to testifying before defendants. Screens or CCTV technology are a common feature of child sexual assault trials today; children in the early 1980s were typically forced into direct visual contact with the accused abuser whilst in court. Convictions were overturned in one SRA case after a child witness was permitted to angle her chair away from the defendants, which was deemed unconstitutional under the [[Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution]], which requires that a criminal defendant must "be confronted with the witnesses against him".<ref>{{cite news | last = Weber | first = D | coauthors = Donlan, A. | title = Pair in day care molest case get 2nd trial | publisher = [[Boston Herald]] | date= 1995-08-30| page = 3 | url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/20531100.html?dids=20531100:20531100&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+30%2C+1995&author=DAVID+WEBER+and+ANN+E.+DONLAN&pub=Boston+Herald&edition=&startpage=001&desc=Pair+in+day+care+molest+case+get+2nd+trial | accessdate = 2007-11-20}} (abstract)</ref>{{Dubious|date=March 2008}}


==Court cases==
⚫
In the [[McMartin preschool trial]], children as young as ten were subject to hostile cross-examination for over two weeks.<ref>{{cite news | last = Flynn | first = G | title = Parents plead to spare molested kids new pain| publisher = [[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] | date= 1985-03-01 | pages = 1-4}}</ref>{{Dubious|date=March 2008}} The McMartin case sparked a program of legislative reform in recognition of the harm that children testifying in court and the justice system face.{{Verify source|date=December 2007}} It also catalyzed a broad agenda of research into the nature of children's testimony and the reliability of their oral evidence in court. The findings of this research are somewhat ambiguous, suggesting that neither children nor adults are immune to suggestive interviewing techniques but even extremely suggestive techniques do not inevitably lead to false reports.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Ceci SJ, Kulkofsky S, Klemfuss JZ, Sweeney CD, Bruck M |title=Unwarranted assumptions about children's testimonial accuracy |journal=Annual Review of Clinical Psychology |volume=3 |issue= |pages=311–28 |year=2007 |pmid=17716058 |doi=10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.3.022806.091354}}</ref>
{{Main|List of satanic ritual abuse allegations}}
Elements of Satanist ritual have featured in some ritual abuse allegations of child abuse and such allegations have appeared throughout the world. The failure of many high-profile cases generated worldwide media attention, and came to play a central feature in the growing controversies over child abuse, memory and the law.<ref name="isbn0393702545 ">{{cite book |author=Hammond, D. Corydon; Brown, Daniel P.; Scheflin, Alan W. |title=Memory, trauma treatment, and the law |publisher=W.W. Norton |location=New York |year=1998 |pages= |isbn=0393702545 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref>


⚫
During the early 1980s, some courts attempted ''ad hoc'' accommodations to address the anxieties of child witnesses in relation to testifying before defendants. One conviction was in overturned and re-tried when child witnesses were permitted to angle their chairs away from the defendants, which was deemed unconstitutional under the [[Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Weber | first = D | coauthors = Donlan, A. | title = Pair in day care molest case get 2nd trial | publisher = [[Boston Herald]] | date= 1995-08-30| page = 3 | url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/20531100.html?dids=20531100:20531100&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+30%2C+1995&author=DAVID+WEBER+and+ANN+E.+DONLAN&pub=Boston+Herald&edition=&startpage=001&desc=Pair+in+day+care+molest+case+get+2nd+trial | accessdate = 2007-11-20}} (abstract)</ref> In the [[McMartin preschool trial]], children as young as ten were subject to hostile cross-examination for over two weeks.<ref>{{cite news | last = Flynn | first = G | title = Parents plead to spare molested kids new pain| publisher = [[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] | date= 1985-03-01 | pages = 1-4}}</ref> Screens or CCTV technology are a common feature of child sexual assault trials today; children in the early 1980s were typically forced into direct visual contact with the accused abuser while in court. SRA allegations in the courts catalyzed a broad agenda of research into the nature of children's testimony and the reliability of their oral evidence in court. The findings of this research are somewhat ambiguous, suggesting that neither children nor adults are immune to suggestive interviewing techniques but even extremely suggestive techniques do not inevitably lead to false reports.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Ceci SJ, Kulkofsky S, Klemfuss JZ, Sweeney CD, Bruck M |title=Unwarranted assumptions about children's testimonial accuracy |journal=Annual Review of Clinical Psychology |volume=3 |issue= |pages=311–28 |year=2007 |pmid=17716058 |doi=10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.3.022806.091354}}</ref><!--JOURNAL ABSTRACT DOES NOT MENTION SATANIC RITUAL ABUSE; DOES THE FULL-TEXT?-->
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==Dissociative identity disorder and SRA==
{{main|Dissociative identity disorder}}
In the 1980s, children and adults with allegations of being ritualistically abused demonstrated high levels of distress and trauma-related symptoms.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Noblitt JR |title=Psychometric measures of trauma among psychiatric patients reporting ritual abuse |journal=Psychological reports |volume=77 |issue=3 Pt 1 |pages=743–7 |year=1995 |pmid=8559911 |doi=}}</ref> Some of these patients exhibited high levels of [[dissociation]] and a portion have been diagnosed with [[dissociative identity disorder]] (DID).<ref name=Van1990>{{cite journal | author = Van Benschoten, S.C. | year = 1990 | title = Multiple personality disorder and satanic ritual abuse: The issue of credibility | journal = Dissociation | volume = 3 | pages = 22-30 | url = http://doi.apa.org/?uid=1991-27609-001 | accessdate = 2007-11-20}}</ref> The diagnosis of DID has been linked to one or both parents being involved in a violent cult, with a sizeable population of patients making allegations of ritual abuse.<ref name=Paley/> Though this is still a controversial diagnosis, criticisms of DID have subsided following research that confirms the [[Construct validity|validity]] of the diagnosis<ref name=Elzinga1998>{{cite journal | author = Elzinga, B.M. | coauthors = Van Dyck, R.; Spinhoven, P. | year = 1998 | title = Three controversies about dissociative identity disorder | journal = Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy | volume = 5 | issue = 1 | pages = 13-23 | doi = 10.1002/(SICI)1099-0879(199803)5:1%3C13::AID-CPP148%3E3.0.CO;2-J}}</ref> and the standardisation of evidence-based treatment.<ref name=Barach1994>{{cite book | author = Barach, P.M. | year = 1994 | title = ISSD Guidelines for Treating Dissociative Identity Disorder, Multiple Personality Disorder, in Adults | publisher = ISSD | isbn = }}</ref>


⚫
==Relation to dissociative identity disorder==
Though DID has become less controversial since its introduction as a diagnosis,<ref>{{cite journal |author=Sno HN, Schalken HF |title=Dissociative identity disorder: diagnosis and treatment in the Netherlands |journal=Eur. Psychiatry |volume=14 |issue=5 |pages=270–7 |year=1999 |pmid=10572357 |doi=}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Kluft RP |title=An overview of the psychotherapy of dissociative identity disorder |journal=American journal of psychotherapy |volume=53 |issue=3 |pages=289–319 |year=1999 |pmid=10586296 |doi=}}</ref> skepticism about the diagnosis is still significant<ref name = Pope>{{cite journal |author=Pope HG, Barry S, Bodkin A, Hudson JI |title=Tracking scientific interest in the dissociative disorders: a study of scientific publication output 1984-2003 |journal=Psychotherapy and psychosomatics |volume=75 |issue=1 |pages=19–24 |year=2006 |pmid=16361871 |doi=10.1159/000089223}}</ref> and there is debate over whether the condition is [[Iatrogenesis|iatrogenic]]ally produced through treatment by credulous therapists<ref name="pmid15560314">{{cite journal |author=Piper A, Merskey H |title=The persistence of folly: critical examination of dissociative identity disorder. Part II. The defence and decline of multiple personality or dissociative identity disorder |journal=Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie |volume=49 |issue=10 |pages=678-83 |year=2004 |pmid=15560314 |doi=}} [http://ww1.cpa-apc.org:8080/Publications/Archives/CJP/2004/october/piper.pdf Full Text]</ref><ref name="pmid15503730">{{cite journal |author=Piper A, Merskey H |title=The persistence of folly: a critical examination of dissociative identity disorder. Part I. The excesses of an improbable concept |journal=Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie |volume=49 |issue=9 |pages=592-600 |year=2004 |pmid=15503730 |doi=}} [http://ww1.cpa-apc.org:8080/Publications/Archives/CJP/2004/september/piper.pdf Full Text]</ref> though others believe there is insufficient evidence to support this conclusion.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Brown |first= D |coauthors= Frischholz E, Scheflin A. |year= 1999 |title= Iatrogenic dissociative identity disorder - an evaluation of the scientific evidence |journal= The Journal of Psychiatry and Law |volume= XXVII No. 3-4 |issue= Fall-Winter 1999 |pages= 549 - 637}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite journal |author=Gleaves DH |title=The sociocognitive model of dissociative identity disorder: a reexamination of the evidence |journal=Psychol Bull |volume=120 |issue=1 |pages=42–59 |year=1996 |pmid=8711016 |doi=}}</ref> Some skeptics claimed that the increase in DID diagnosis on the 1980s and 1990s and its association with memories of SRA is evidence of malpractice by treating professionals.<ref>{{cite book |author=Pendergrast, Mark |title=Victims of memory: incest accusations and shattered lives |publisher=Upper Access |location=Hinesburg, Vt |year=1995 |pages= |isbn=0-942679-16-4 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> The reliability of memories of SRA elucidated by clients in treatment for DID has been a major point of contention in the popular media and with clinicians, some of whom continue to express ambivalence over the reliability of narratives of SRA patients. Most acknowledge that such a narrative is indicative of serious victimisation and trauma.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Schmuttermaier | first = J | coauthors = Veno S | title = Counselors' beliefs about ritual abuse: An Australian Study | journal = Journal of Child Sexual Abuse | volume = 8 | issue = 3 | year = 1999 | pages = 45 - 63 |url=http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ607651&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ607651}}</ref>{{Syn|date=December 2007}}
[[Dissociative identity disorder]] is a diagnosis in the DSM-IV that has been linked to SRA; some skeptics claimed that the increase in DID diagnosis on the 1980s and 1990s and its association with memories of SRA is evidence of malpractice by treating professionals.<ref>{{cite book |author=Pendergrast, Mark |title=Victims of memory: incest accusations and shattered lives |publisher=Upper Access |location=Hinesburg, Vt |year=1995 |pages= |isbn=0-942679-16-4 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> The reliability of memories of SRA elucidated by clients in treatment for DID has been a point of contention in the popular media and with clinicians, some of whom express ambivalence over the reliability of narratives of SRA patients. Most acknowledge that such a narrative is indicative of serious victimisation and trauma.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Schmuttermaier | first = J | coauthors = Veno S | title = Counselors' beliefs about ritual abuse: An Australian Study | journal = Journal of Child Sexual Abuse | volume = 8 | issue = 3 | year = 1999 | pages = 45 - 63 |url=http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ607651&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ607651}}</ref>{{Syn|date=December 2007}}


==See also==
==See also==
Line 73: Line 73:
* [[Pace memorandum]]
* [[Pace memorandum]]
* [[List of satanic ritual abuse allegations]]
* [[List of satanic ritual abuse allegations]]
⚫
* [[Ritualized child abuse]]
* [[Day care sex abuse hysteria]]
* [[False allegation of child sexual abuse]]


==References==
==References==
Line 78: Line 81:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.religioustolerance.org/ra_rep03.htm Kenneth V. Lanning: Investigator's Guide to Allegations of Ritual Child Abuse] (1992 report by FBI agent)
*{{PDF|[http://web.archive.org/web/20031025012607/http://www.pointnet.ca/media/igtaorca.pdf FBI agent K. Lanning's Investigator's Guide to Allegations of Ritual Child Abuse]|408&nbsp;KB}} (archive copy)
*[http://www.nemasys.com/rahome/library/articles/ra_arti1.shtml Ritual Abuse Bibliography - Articles from periodicals and journals]
*[http://www.nemasys.com/rahome/library/articles/ra_arti1.shtml Ritual Abuse Bibliography - Articles from periodicals and journals]


[[Category:Mind control]]
[[Category:Satanism]]
[[Category:Satanism]]
[[Category:Crimes involving Satanism or the occult]]
[[Category:Crimes involving Satanism or the occult]]

Revision as of 21:45, 27 May 2008


Satanic ritual abuse (abbreviated SRA) refers to reports of physical and sexual abuse of individuals (generally children) in the context of Satanic rituals. Allegations of SRA first appeared in the early 1980s, arising mainly in the United States and United Kingdom and to a lesser extent other parts of the world. Definitions and extent of SRA are controversial with mixed and equivocal evidence presented by both believers and skeptics. Some researchers believe that SRA is linked to dissociative identity disorder. SRA had a impacted how legal, therapeutic and social work professions dealt with allegations of abuse.

History

A number of psychologists have noted the similarities between modern accounts of SRA, and the disclosures of Emma Eckstein to Sigmund Freud whilst undergoing psychoanalytic treatment.[1] Eckstein described to Freud experiences similar to the ritual abuse survivors of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, which included sexual abuse and ritual bloodletting. Freud was so disturbed by these disclosures that he stated "we may have before us a residue of a primaeval sexual cult".[2][3]

The phrase "satanic ritual abuse" first arose in the mid-1980s to describe the disclosures of some children in child protection cases, and some adults in psychotherapy. In the early 1980s there was an exponential increase in child protection investigations in America, Britain and other developed countries due to mandatory reporting laws and increased public awareness of child abuse. In a small number of investigations, children disclosed alleged organised and ritualistic forms of sexual abuse by parents and caregivers,[4][5] claims also made by adults in psychotherapy.[6][7] These disclosures included descriptions of sexual abuse in the context of Satanic cults, rituals and the use of Satanic iconography, garnering the label "satanic ritual abuse" in the media and some professionals. Clinicians, psychotherapists and social workers have documented clients who describe a history of SRA[8][9] and a body of literature on the treatment of ritually abused patients, much of which focuses on dissociative disorders, has emerged.[10][11]

Accounts of SRA were amongst the first wave of autobiographical literature on child abuse that emerged in the early 1980s. One of the best known is Michelle Remembers, published in 1980, written by Michelle Smith and her psychiatrist (and later husband) Lawrence Pazder. Investigations of the events discussed in the book revealed inconsistencies and contradictory facts which challenge the book's accuracy.[12] Those who believe that SRA does not exist have argued that claims of SRA only surfaced following the publication of Michelle Remembers[13], and that, therefore, Michelle Remembers is largely responsible for "starting the epidemic of satanic abuse allegations."[14] Others have noted historical accounts similar to SRA in the early-to-mid 20th century and dating back to medieval and ancient times.[15] For David Frankfurter, the SRA panic repeated many of the ancient features of conspiracy theory panics.[16]

The existence of SRA remains unclear, with varying degrees of proof, corroboration and testimony found when investigating claims made by individuals disclosing SRA,[17] and a similarly mixed legacy of legal precedent, with only a minority portion of total allegations resulting in criminal conviction or other actions by the state. By the early 1990s, the phrase "satanic ritual abuse" was featured in media coverage of ritualistic abuse but its use decreased among professionals in favour of more nuanced terms such as "multi-dimensional child sex rings"[18] "ritual/ritualistic",[19] "organised"[20] or "sadistic" abuse,[8] that acknowledged the complexity of abuse cases with multiple perpetrators and victims without projecting a religious framework onto perpetrators. The issue is further obscured by reports of "pseudo-satanists" who do not believe in the rituals, but use the trappings to coerce and terrify victims.[17][21]

Support

The prevalence of any form of sexual abuse is difficult to quantify, and this is particularly the case in regard to SRA. There is little consensus on a definition of SRA.[18] Nonetheless, there are some research findings that shed some light on the prevalence of SRA.

Research in Australia and Britain suggests that between a third and a quarter of psychotherapists, social workers and counselors have encountered at least one client who discloses allegations of ritualistic abuse.[22][23][24] These findings are supported by a comprehensive survey undertaken in America in 1996 in which a minority of psychologist members of the American Psychological Association who responded had encountered at least one client telling of "ritualistic or religion-related" abuse, and the majority believed their clients.[25] Over 12 000 cases of clients with a history of organised and ritualistic abuse were reported by respondents; however, where the survey asked respondents to detail empirical or corroborating evidence for such histories, the researchers felt that there was insufficient basis to conclude that these histories were based on factual events.[25]

A British study found that of 29% of the 211 cases of organised child sexual abuse reported to researchers by police, social and welfare agencies from the period of 1988 to 1991 were designated "ritual abuse" cases by respondents.[26] Another British survey in 1994 found an average of 21 out of 242 abuse cases investigated per year in England and Wales involved involved ritual or satanic abuse. In the ritual abuse cases the rituals were found to be secondary to the sexual abuse. In cases involving satanic abuse, the satanic allegations by younger children were influenced by adults, and the concerns over the satanic aspects were found to be compelling due to cultural attraction of the concept, but distracting from the actual harm caused to the abuse victims.[27]

In a 1995 report by the Department of Justice in Canada, ritual abuse is described as "severe physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual abuse used systematically with symbols, ceremonies and/or group activities that have a religious, magical or supernatural connotation." The report indicates that victims of ritual abuse are often afraid to report the incidents, and that often their reports are not believed. [28]

An estimated 93% of therapists working with alleged ritual abuse survivors in the early and mid 1990's believed that ritual abuse occurs.[1] Studies have shown a connection between dissociative identity disorder and SRA, and some psychologists describe ritualistic abuse in substantiated cases of day care sexual abuse.[29][1][30][31] Some of this research has, in turn, been criticized for an overly liberal definition of what constitutes a "substantiated" case of ritual abuse.[32] In day-care settings, a satanic overtone was often associated with ritual abuse, and ritual abuse coupled with sexual abuse was found to be the most devastating.[30] These effects were found not to be temporary and multiple perpetrator abuse was found to be worse.[30] The failure of center staff to report suspicion of abuse by parents of staff was mentioned as a worry by several researchers.[30]

Some theorists, called "apologists", believe that reports of satanic cult abuse either must or could be true and there is some evidence to support this. [33]

Criticism

There is a diverse body of skeptical literature on SRA. Sociologists and journalists noted the vigorous nature with which some evangelical activists and groups were using claims of SRA to further their religious and political goals.[34] Other commentators suggested that the entire phenomenon may be evidence of a "moral panic" over Satanism and child abuse.[35] Skeptical explanations for allegations of SRA have included an attempt by "radical feminists" to undermine the nuclear family,[36] a backlash against working women,[37] homophobic attacks on gay childcare workers,[38] a universal need to believe in evil,[16] fear of alternative spiritualities[39] "end of the millennium" anxieties,[40] or a transient form of temporal lobe epilepsy.[41]

Skeptics have treated allegations of SRA as "viral agents" or rashes spread through conferences, seminars, books, television programs and court cases, and professionals who believe in SRA.[42] Cases of SRA have been described as “psychogenic syndromes" or "hysterical epidemics",[40] infectious “memetic” agents,[43] symptoms of a “mediasomatic ailment”,[44] or simply the “madness in the air”.[45] In 2006 David Frankfurter, professor of religious studies and history at the University of New Hampshire published an academic study on SRA. He concludes that "No forensic evidence" on SRA "has ever been found".[46]

Kenneth Lanning, an expert in the investigation of child sexual abuse,[47] has stated that child molesters may "use the trappings of Satanism to frighten young victims", but the actual claims for satanic conspiracies and human sacrifices are unrealistic and the allegations themselves were unsubstantiated, difficult to prove or disprove, and call the credibility of the child victims into question. Lanning described what he termed "four dynamics" in common among reported cases of Satanic ritual abuse of children: "multiple young victims, multiple offenders, fear as the controlling tactic, and bizarre or ritualistic activity" and stated that he considers some of what the victims alleged to be either untrue or physically impossible. Lanning suggested possible reasons for reports by adults of events that he considered did not appear to be true include "pathological distortion, traumatic memory, normal childhood fears and fantasies, misperception, and confusion."[21]

One survey in the United States found that of 2709 practicing clinical psychologists, 1908 had no patients reporting SRA, 785 found one to two cases, and sixteen had treated more than one hundred patients reporting SRA, suggesting that a minority of therapists may be "highly predisposed" to see a disturbed clients as suffering from SRA.[48]

The official Church of Satan forbids causing harm to children in its Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth.

Court cases

Main article: List of satanic ritual abuse allegations

Elements of Satanist ritual have featured in some ritual abuse allegations of child abuse and such allegations have appeared throughout the world. The failure of many high-profile cases generated worldwide media attention, and came to play a central feature in the growing controversies over child abuse, memory and the law.[49]

During the early 1980s, some courts attempted ad hoc accommodations to address the anxieties of child witnesses in relation to testifying before defendants. One conviction was in overturned and re-tried when child witnesses were permitted to angle their chairs away from the defendants, which was deemed unconstitutional under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution.[50] In the McMartin preschool trial, children as young as ten were subject to hostile cross-examination for over two weeks.[51] Screens or CCTV technology are a common feature of child sexual assault trials today; children in the early 1980s were typically forced into direct visual contact with the accused abuser while in court. SRA allegations in the courts catalyzed a broad agenda of research into the nature of children's testimony and the reliability of their oral evidence in court. The findings of this research are somewhat ambiguous, suggesting that neither children nor adults are immune to suggestive interviewing techniques but even extremely suggestive techniques do not inevitably lead to false reports.[52]

Relation to dissociative identity disorder

Dissociative identity disorder is a diagnosis in the DSM-IV that has been linked to SRA; some skeptics claimed that the increase in DID diagnosis on the 1980s and 1990s and its association with memories of SRA is evidence of malpractice by treating professionals.[53] The reliability of memories of SRA elucidated by clients in treatment for DID has been a point of contention in the popular media and with clinicians, some of whom express ambivalence over the reliability of narratives of SRA patients. Most acknowledge that such a narrative is indicative of serious victimisation and trauma.[54][improper synthesis?]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Perskin, Pamela Sue; Noblitt, James Randall (2000). Cult and ritual abuse: its history, anthropology, and recent discovery in contemporary America. New York: Praeger. ISBN 0-275-96665-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link), Hudson, P. "Ritual Abuse: Discovery, Diagnosis and Treatment", Saratoga, CA, R&E Publishers, 1991 Cite error: The named reference "Noblitt" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ Masson, J.M. The Complete Letters of Sigmund Freud to Wilhelm Fliess, 1887-1904. Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press. ISBN 0-674-15421-5.
  3. ^ Kent, S. (1994). "Diabolic Debates: A Reply to David Frankfurter and J. S. La Fontaine". Religion. 24 (4): 361–378. Retrieved 2008-01-29. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ Hechler, David. The Battle and the Backlash: The Child Sexual Abuse War. Macmillan Pub Co. ISBN 0-669-21362-4.
  5. ^ Cozolino, L. (1989). "The ritual abuse of children: Implications for clinical practice and research". The Journal of Sex Research. 26 (1): 131–138.
  6. ^ Van Benschoten, S.C. (1990). "Multiple personality disorder and satanic ritual abuse: The issue of credibility". Dissociation. 1 (3): 13–20.
  7. ^ Conte, Jon R. (2002). Critical issues in child sexual abuse: historical, legal, and psychological perspectives. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. ISBN 0761909125.
  8. ^ a b Sinason, V (1994). Treating survivors of satanist abuse. New York: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-10543-9.
  9. ^ Jonker, F. (1991). "Experiences with ritualist child sexual abuse: a case study from the Netherlands". Child Abuse and Neglect. 15: 191–196. doi:10.1016/0145-2134(91)90064-K. PMID 2043971. Retrieved 2007-10-20. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Fraser, George C. (1997). The Dilemma of Ritual Abuse: Cautions and Guides for Therapists. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press. ISBN 0-88048-478-0.
  11. ^ Ross, Colin A. (1995). Satanic Ritual Abuse: Principles of Treatment. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-2857-8.
  12. ^ Denna Allen and Janet Midwinter (September 30 1990). "Michelle Remembers: The Debunking of a Myth". The Mail on Sunday. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ . Ney, Tara (1995). "The Assessment and Investigation of Ritual Abuse". True and False Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse: Assessment and Case Management. Psychology Press. p. 304.
  14. ^ . Wenegrat, Brant (2001). Theater of Disorder: Patients, Doctors, and the Construction of Illness. Oxford University Press. p. 190-192.
  15. ^ Kent, Stephen (1993). "Deviant Scripturalism and Ritual Satanic Abuse Part One: Possible Judeo-Christian Influences". Religion (23): 229–241.
  16. ^ a b Frankfurter, D. (2001). "Ritual as Accusation and Atrocity: Satanic Ritual Abuse, Gnostic Libertinism, and Primal Murders". History of Religions. 40 (4): 352–380. doi:10.1086/463648. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  17. ^ a b "Report of Utah State Task Force on Ritual Abuse" (PDF). Utah Governor's Commission for Women and Families. 1992-05-01. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
  18. ^ a b Lanning, Kenneth V. (1992). "Lanning's Guide to Allegations of Childhood Ritual Abuse" (html).
  19. ^ Hudson, Pamela S. (1991). Ritual child abuse: discovery, diagnosis, and treatment. Saratoga, Calif: R&E Publishers. ISBN 0882478672.
  20. ^ Bibby, Peter A. Organised Abuse: The Current Debate. Aldershot, England: Arena. ISBN 1-85742-284-8.
  21. ^ a b Lanning, K (1994). Bender D; Leone, B (ed.). Satanic Ritual Abuse of Children Is Not Widespread. Opposing Viewpoints Series. Greenhaven Press, Inc. Retrieved 2008-04-29.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)
  22. ^ Andrews, B. (1995). "The recovery of memories in clinical practice: Experiences and beliefs of British Psychological Society practitioners". The Psychologist. 8: 209–214. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Creighton, S.J. (1993). "Organized abuse: NSPCC experience". Child Abuse Review. 2: 232–232. doi:10.1002/car.2380020405.
  24. ^ Schmuttermaier, J. (1999). "Counselors' beliefs about ritual abuse: an Australian study". Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. 8 (3): p45-63. Retrieved 2007-10-22. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ a b Bottoms, B.L. (1996). "An analysis of ritualistic and religion-related child abuse allegations" (PDF). Law and Human Behavior. 20 (1): 1–34. doi:10.1007/BF01499130. Retrieved 2007-10-22. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Gallagher, B (1996), The nature and extent of known cases of organised child sexual abuse in England and Wales {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); in Bibby, P. (ed.). Organised Abuse: The Current Debate. Arena. ISBN 1857422848. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  27. ^ La Fontaine, J S. (1994). The extent and nature of organised and ritual abuse: research findings. London: HMSO. ISBN 0-11-321797-8. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  28. ^ "Family Violence in Rural, Farm and Remote Canada". Department of Justice Canada. March 3,1995. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help)
  29. ^ van Benschoten, Susan C. (1990). "Multiple personality disorder and Satanic ritual abuse: the issue of credibility" (PDF). Dissociation. 3 (1): 22–30.
  30. ^ a b c d Schumacher, R.B. (1999). "Variables and risk factors associated with child abuse in daycare settings". Child Abuse & Neglect. 23 (9). Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier Science Inc.: 891–8. doi:10.1016/S0145-2134(99)00057-5. ISSN 0145-2134. PMID 10505902. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  31. ^ Finkelhor, David; Williams, Linda Meyer; Burns, Nanci; Kalinowski, Michael (March, 1988), http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED292552&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED292552, Sexual Abuse in Day Care: A National Study. Executive Summary, Durham, NH, USA: University of New ampshire, Family Research Laboritory, p. 18, Eric # ED292552, retrieved 2007-12-22 {{citation}}: |contribution-url= missing title (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  32. ^ de Young, Mary (2004). The Day Care Ritual Abuse Moral Panic. Jefferson, North Carolina, United States: McFarland and Company. p. 102. ISBN 0786418303.
  33. ^ Paley, K. (1992). "Dream wars: a case study of a woman with multiple personality disorder" (PDF). Dissociation. 5 (2): 111–116. Retrieved 2008-01-10. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  34. ^ Victor, Jeffrey S. (1993). Satanic panic: the creation of a contemporary legend. La Salle, Ill: Open Court. ISBN 0812691911.
  35. ^ Deyoung, M. (1996). "A painted devil: Constructing the satanic ritual abuse of children problem". Aggression and Violent Behavior. 1 (3): 235–248. doi:10.1016/1359-1789(95)00009-7. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  36. ^ Underwager, Ralph C.; Wakefield, Hollida (1995). Return of the furies: an investigation into recovered memory therapy. La Salle, Ill: Open Court. ISBN 0812692721.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  37. ^ Snedeker, Michael R.; Nathan, Debbie. Satan's Silence: Ritual Abuse and the Making of a Modern American Witch Hunt. Lincoln, Neb: Authors Choice Press. ISBN 0595189555.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ Hood, Lynley. A City Possessed: The Christchurch Civic Creche Case. Longacre Press. ISBN 1877135623.
  39. ^ La Fontaine, J. S. (1998). Speak of the Devil: allegations of satanic abuse in Britain. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521629349.
  40. ^ a b Showalter, Elaine (1997). Hystories: hysterical epidemics and modern media. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 0231104596.
  41. ^ Paley, J. (2001). "Satanist abuse and alien abduction: A comparative analysis theorizing temporal lobe activity as a possible connection between anomalous memories". British Journal of Social Work. 27 (1): 43–70. ISSN 0045-3102.
  42. ^ Nathan, D. (1990). "Never Forget the McMartin Case." The San Francisco Chronicle. 12 August: 20/Z1, Guilliatt, R. (1995). "Daughter Claims Memory of Ritual Abuse." Sydney Morning Herald. 13 May, Goodlin, L. (2002). "Recovered Memory; Unproven strategy to find evidence of past sexual abuse." The Post-Standard Syracuse. 24 September, New York: A9, Radford, B. (2004). "Canadian Defendants Victorious in Ritual Abuse Case." Skeptical Inquirer 28(2): 12
  43. ^ Acocella, J (1998). "The politics of hysteria". The New Yorker. 6: 64–9. Retrieved 2008-02-22.
  44. ^ Nesvisky, M. (1997). "Mediasomatic ailments." The Jerusalem Post. 22 August: 22.
  45. ^ Appleyard, B. (1998). "Lost in the dark shadows of child abuse." The Sunday Times. 31 May.
  46. ^ Frankfurter, David (2006). Evil Incarnate: Rumors of Demonic Conspiracy and Ritual Abuse in History. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0691113505.
  47. ^ Heimbach, MJ (2002-05-01). "Testimonyof Michael J. Heimbach, Crimes Against Children Unit". United States Congress. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
  48. ^ Victor, 1993, p. 257-8
  49. ^ Hammond, D. Corydon; Brown, Daniel P.; Scheflin, Alan W. (1998). Memory, trauma treatment, and the law. New York: W.W. Norton. ISBN 0393702545.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  50. ^ Weber, D (1995-08-30). "Pair in day care molest case get 2nd trial". Boston Herald. p. 3. Retrieved 2007-11-20. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) (abstract)
  51. ^ Flynn, G (1985-03-01). "Parents plead to spare molested kids new pain". The San Diego Union-Tribune. pp. 1–4.
  52. ^ Ceci SJ, Kulkofsky S, Klemfuss JZ, Sweeney CD, Bruck M (2007). "Unwarranted assumptions about children's testimonial accuracy". Annual Review of Clinical Psychology. 3: 311–28. doi:10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.3.022806.091354. PMID 17716058.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  53. ^ Pendergrast, Mark (1995). Victims of memory: incest accusations and shattered lives. Hinesburg, Vt: Upper Access. ISBN 0-942679-16-4.
  54. ^ Schmuttermaier, J (1999). "Counselors' beliefs about ritual abuse: An Australian Study". Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. 8 (3): 45–63. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
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