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The Press Council has disgraced
itself with its handling of the complaint of Freda Briggs (June 13). The council refers to letters
written by me and suggests that my comments were inaccurate and possibly
malicious. It did not seek comment from me before reaching its decision. Your readers were entitled to know
that I dispute that Ms Briggs has published more than a few papers in peer-reviewed
journals. Also, that I believe that whatever
expertise she possesses, it does not extend to the interviewing of child
sexual abuse victims, and that Ms Briggs has, despite her claims to the
contrary, recently endorsed the myth that is ritual abuse. Teachers,
according to Ms Briggs, should observe changes in children’s behaviour and
watch for signs of abuse. This advice, which may have been fashionable 20
years ago, is dangerous and should be ignored. There are no behaviours specific
to child sexual abuse victims. That is why forensic interviews are important
- they are the most reliable, and often the only, source of information about
a child's abuse status. Well trained professionals should
perform such interviews, not counsellors or child advocates. If an expert comments on a
controversial issue, the public has a right to expect that he or she is
credible. Freda Briggs should take no
comfort from the Press Council’s bizarre decision.
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