NCJ Number
160312
Date Published
1995
Length
232 pages
Annotation
The author, an expert in the treatment of dissociative disorders, believes the objective reality of Satanic ritual abuse (SRA) is primarily a sociology and law enforcement question that cannot be answered by clinicians, but he indicates clinicians treating those involved in SRA need therapeutic intervention guidelines.
Abstract
In recent years, the subject of SRA has incited widespread controversy focused primarily on whether such abuse actually occurs. Much like child sexual abuse, SRA was initially dismissed as an isolated or even imaginary phenomenon. Although evidence increasingly shows SRA exists, clinicians working with individual patients cannot be sure if they are dealing with fact or fantasy. The author has encountered more than 300 patients with memories of alleged SRA. He discusses psychological, social, and historical aspects of SRA and presents principles and techniques for its clinical treatment. Although he has found no evidence of a widespread Satanic network, the author is open to the possibility that SRA memories of some individuals may be entirely or partially accurate. In treatment, he recommends the therapist adopt an attitude hovering between disbelief and credulous entrapment and he focuses mainly on individuals with multiple personality disorders. 151 references and 1 table