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The Christchurch Civic
Creche Case |
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Freda Briggs (Jan 31) refers to
research she conducted which claimed high levels of sexual abuse, in children
with disabilities, in two South Island special secondary schools. She
declined to identify the schools. Briggs is known mainly for the
anti-sexual abuse programme in schools, Keeping Ourselves Safe. Last year,
however, Briggs, Professor of Child Development at the University of South
Australia, put her name to a foreword endorsing the 48-page booklet Ritual
Abuse and Torture in Australia. To try to paint ritual abuse, or what was
until recently often termed satanic ritual abuse, back into existence, she
and Dr Marie O'Neill refer to "more than six million documents on the
Internet addressing the issue of ritual abuse". The booklet seems to contain
mostly irrelevant material and doubtful stories, referencing scientifically
spurious reports or otherwise uncitable articles, including dubious internet
hits. |
