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The Christchurch Civic
Creche Case |
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Freda Briggs' remarkable claim
that teachers should watch for signs of child sexual abuse (Jan 31) cannot go
unanswered. I doubt that Ms Briggs' research
has been published in a reputable peer- reviewed journal. Any expert worth
their salt knows that there are no signs or behaviours that are symptomatic
of child sexual abuse. Indeed, non-abused children can and do exhibit the
same behaviours as abused children. I understand Freda Briggs is an
avowed believer in the ritual sexual abuse phenomenon, which first appeared
in the early 1980s with the notorious McMartin and Kelly Michaels cases. It
has resulted in untold distress to children, the wrongly accused and their
families. It is generally regarded as a myth, propagated by well meaning but
misguided child advocates. Politicians, teachers, parents,
and police should steer well clear of Ms Briggs. She is not an appropriate
person to lecture us on how to identify or prevent child sexual abuse. |
