NCJ Number
195508
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 1-15
Date Published
2001
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article offers the professional the Canadian Psychological Association’s Guidelines for Psychologists Addressing Recovered Memories and demonstrates how the guidelines could be applied to resolving dilemmas presented in three vignettes involving sexual abuse through the use of an ethical decision making process.
Abstract
In 1996, Crozier and Pettifor developed the Canadian Psychological Association’s Guidelines for Psychologists Addressing Recovered Memories to support professionals in good practice without engaging in the controversy over the truth or falsification of memory. The guidelines aid in practical decision making as opposed to providing mandatory rules. The need for guidelines on recovered memories support the work of professionals and offers protection for clients. This article allows professionals the ability to review their practice according to approved guidelines that deal with the difficult issue of recovered memories. Three vignettes involving sexual abuse are presented where the guidelines in conjunction with a rational and intuitive ethical decision making process are applied. Each vignette and decision making process demonstrates the first step in ethical decision making to be the identification of the ethically relevant issues. In several of the dilemmas encountered by professionals there is conflict between concerns for the best interests of the clients, concerns for the best interests of professionals, and concern for the credibility of the profession. The guidelines can help professionals clarify the conflicting concerns and deal with sensitive issues. References