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Child-Maltreatment-Research-L (CMRL) List Serve

Browse All Past CMRL Messages

Welcome to the archive of past Child-Maltreatment-Research-L (CMRL) list serve messages (11,000+). The table below contains all past CMRL messages (text only, no attachments) from Nov. 20, 1996 - January 31, 2024 and is updated every two months.

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Message ID: 10590
Date: 2019-12-07

Author:Kirk Witherspoon

Subject:Re: 1980s and '90s daycare

The jury is not out. Those cases were overturned in nearly every instance as flawed for poor child interviewing. Hollida Wakefield (see webpage) and her late husband had much direct professional involvement in trials re, as one direct source. "Nonsense" is a charitable characterization. Fortunately, much has been done to promulgate standards and training for child interviewers, although research in Britain has revealed it must be reinforced frequently. For example, progress in reducing leading and suggestive questioning tended to drop away within months. (Perhaps someone on the list has retained the fairly recent study re and can share the reference. I know it was summarized in the journal of the British Psychological Society.) Kirk Witherspoon, PhD Clinical & Forensic Psychologist - IL & IA Sex Offender Evaluator - IL 722 - 23rd Avenue Court Moline, IL 61265-4624 Tel. (309) 762-2922 Fax (309) 762-8394 kirkwitherspoon@mchsi.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Wendy Anson Reply-To: Child Maltreatment Researcher List (CMRL) To: Child Maltreatment Researcher List (CMRL) Sent: 12/6/2019 6:04:03 PM Subject: 1980s and '90s daycare ________________________________ Following Dr. Vandervort's thoughtful remarks, if I may, the phrase "daycare ritual abuse nonsense of the 1980s & 1990s," does I fear a great disservice to the work of many hardworking, research-based and dedicated clinical, research and forensic experts who have performed thoughtful and tireless work either directly within or adding value to this area of investigation. In view of all of this credible information and sources, as also painstakingly referenced in Dr. Cheit's book as cited above, many knowledgeable folks may believe it is probably safe to say that the jury is still out. Wendy Anson, PhD Founder, Synapstory Production Group Inc. 3430 Connecticut Ave NW #11355 Washington, DC 20008-7527 818.317.0483 On Fri, Dec 6, 2019 at 1:47 PM Frank Vandervort wrote: Dear Mr. Witherspoon and All: Regarding the "daycare ritual abuse nonsense of the 1980s & 1990s," I highly recommend "The Witch-Hunt Narrative: Politics, Psychology, and the Sexual Abuse of Children" by Brown University Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Ross E. Chiet, which provides a comprehensive review of those cases. Regarding "Shaken Baby Syndrome," which is more accurately referred to as Abusive Head Trauma, I recommend, among many other sources, Choudhary, et al., "Consensus Statement on abusive head trauma in infants and young children, 48 Pediatric Radiology 1048-1065 (2018). (Incidentally, to suggest a single source, particularly one as, well, "Flawed" as Professor Tuerkheimer's, settles the issue of AHT suggests need for some useful education). Frank Vandervort On Fri, Dec 6, 2019 at 10:22 AM Kirk Witherspoon wrote: Eichner reports that the same folks who brought us the daycare ritual abuse nonsense of the 1980s & 1990s also propounded "Shaken Baby Syndrome" and MCA. For the unfamiliar, an equally compelling and foundational book was written by Deborah Tuerkheimer (2014), Flawed Convictions: "Shaken Baby Syndrome" and the Inertia of Injustice. I strongly recommend gaining familiarity with these works, if for no other reason than to bolster critical thinking and investigative skills. To paraphrase my undergrad commencement speaker, "A good education is most useful to aid you to identify what is B.S." Kirk Witherspoon, PhD Clinical & Forensic Psychologist - IL & IA Sex Offender Evaluator - IL 722 - 23rd Avenue Court Moline, IL 61265-4624 Tel. (309) 762-2922 Fax (309) 762-8394 kirkwitherspoon@mchsi.com -- Frank E. Vandervort Clinical Professor of Law University of Michigan Law School 701 South State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (734) 647-3168

The jury is not out. Those cases were overturned in nearly every instance as flawed for poor child interviewing. Hollida Wakefield (see webpage) and her late husband had much direct professional involvement in trials re, as one direct source. "Nonsense" is a charitable characterization. Fortunately, much has been done to promulgate standards and training for child interviewers, although research in Britain has revealed it must be reinforced frequently. For example, progress in reducing leading and suggestive questioning tended to drop away within months. (Perhaps someone on the list has retained the fairly recent study re and can share the reference. I know it was summarized in the journal of the British Psychological Society.) Kirk Witherspoon, PhD Clinical & Forensic Psychologist - IL & IA Sex Offender Evaluator - IL 722 - 23rd Avenue Court Moline, IL 61265-4624 Tel. (309) 762-2922 Fax (309) 762-8394 kirkwitherspoonmchsi.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Wendy Anson Reply-To: Child Maltreatment Researcher List (CMRL) To: Child Maltreatment Researcher List (CMRL) Sent: 12/6/2019 6:04:03 PM Subject: 1980s and '90s daycare ________________________________ Following Dr. Vandervort's thoughtful remarks, if I may, the phrase "daycare ritual abuse nonsense of the 1980s & 1990s," does I fear a great disservice to the work of many hardworking, research-based and dedicated clinical, research and forensic experts who have performed thoughtful and tireless work either directly within or adding value to this area of investigation. In view of all of this credible information and sources, as also painstakingly referenced in Dr. Cheit's book as cited above, many knowledgeable folks may believe it is probably safe to say that the jury is still out. Wendy Anson, PhD Founder, Synapstory Production Group Inc. 3430 Connecticut Ave NW #11355 Washington, DC 20008-7527 818.317.0483 On Fri, Dec 6, 2019 at 1:47 PM Frank Vandervort wrote: Dear Mr. Witherspoon and All: Regarding the "daycare ritual abuse nonsense of the 1980s & 1990s," I highly recommend "The Witch-Hunt Narrative: Politics, Psychology, and the Sexual Abuse of Children" by Brown University Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Ross E. Chiet, which provides a comprehensive review of those cases. Regarding "Shaken Baby Syndrome," which is more accurately referred to as Abusive Head Trauma, I recommend, among many other sources, Choudhary, et al., "Consensus Statement on abusive head trauma in infants and young children, 48 Pediatric Radiology 1048-1065 (2018). (Incidentally, to suggest a single source, particularly one as, well, "Flawed" as Professor Tuerkheimer's, settles the issue of AHT suggests need for some useful education). Frank Vandervort On Fri, Dec 6, 2019 at 10:22 AM Kirk Witherspoon wrote: Eichner reports that the same folks who brought us the daycare ritual abuse nonsense of the 1980s & 1990s also propounded "Shaken Baby Syndrome" and MCA. For the unfamiliar, an equally compelling and foundational book was written by Deborah Tuerkheimer (2014), Flawed Convictions: "Shaken Baby Syndrome" and the Inertia of Injustice. I strongly recommend gaining familiarity with these works, if for no other reason than to bolster critical thinking and investigative skills. To paraphrase my undergrad commencement speaker, "A good education is most useful to aid you to identify what is B.S." Kirk Witherspoon, PhD Clinical & Forensic Psychologist - IL & IA Sex Offender Evaluator - IL 722 - 23rd Avenue Court Moline, IL 61265-4624 Tel. (309) 762-2922 Fax (309) 762-8394 kirkwitherspoonmchsi.com -- Frank E. Vandervort Clinical Professor of Law University of Michigan Law School 701 South State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (734) 647-3168