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The Christchurch Civic
Creche Case |
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Freda Briggs may be dismayed at
criticism from Ross Francis (The Press, Feb 10), but Francis provided
important and appropriate warnings about Briggs. Briggs beliefs in ritual abuse are
shown, I believe, in a recent publication "Ritual abuse and torture in
Australia". Most now view such beliefs as a quaint aberration. However,
Christchurch residents and Peter Ellis in particular have had the experience
of the Christchurch Creche case and know that such beliefs are a dangerous
aberration. Briggs reminds us she has an
impressive CV. It is not surprising that National MP Paul Hutchison should
accept published claims that 44% of children at two schools had been abused.
Examining the actual report, however, we find that such exaggerated data is
merely based on what "school counsellors indicated." New Zealand needs more scholarship
and objectivity, and less hysteria, than that generated by visits from
Australia by Freda Briggs.
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