|
|
Allegations of Sexual
Abuse in NZ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Your April issue covered the
launch at Amongst reading material promoted
in the manual is the title "The Courage to Heal" by Ellen Bass and Laura
Davis. This book has been widely condemned internationally as it has been
seen to be responsible for creating or supporting fabricated allegations. The last eighteen pages reprint
the joint Police and CYF protocols that were developed as an interagency
approach to the investigation of child sexual abuse and serious child
physical abuse. However, early pages of the manual are more problematic
including in sections attributed to the This adds up to an approach
similar to the largely discredited "symptom" approach in use in Respectable groups, both here and
overseas, such as the American Psychological Association and the Royal
College of Psychiatrists (UK.) are quite clear in stating that there are no
symptoms or clusters of symptoms diagnostic of sexual abuse. We think the
inclusion of such "behavioural indicators"(bedwetting and
nightmares are both) cited) into manuals, especially when coupled to the highly
questionable advice to maintain "a high index of suspicion", needs
to be revisited. In addition there is no balance:
there is no caution in the entire document about the need to reserve
judgement as to the veracity of any allegations made by children, a very
necessary precaution given research into both suggestibility and memory
processes in young children and the damage that false allegations can have
upon others. Instead, implicit throughout the document is the tenet
"believe the children", a prime example being the use of the term
"disclosure" when referring to allegations made by children. Given problems brought to light by
high profile cases such as the Peter Ellis prosecution and numerous cases of
false and sometimes malicious sexual allegations that have become widely
known in many communities, those promoting this material need to attend to
these points. As previous experience has shown it is important to place
things on a better footing sooner rather than later.
Reply I wish to respond to the letter by
Richard Christie and Nancy Sutherland regarding the publication of the
"Best Practice Guidelines for Dealing with Sexual Abuse Concerns". In opening, a clarification is
required. This manual is a community
response to child abuse and was designed for use within the Health, Social
Service and Education sectors for those who routinely work with young people.
More specifically, its use is indicated where there are sexual abuse
concerns. It provides a sound and widely endorsed (CYFS and NZ Police)
process for having a sexual abuse concern formally investigated. The authors of this correspondence
appear to have misinterpreted the purpose of the manual. Firstly, they seem
to assume its use in all situations involving young people, when it is
designed to be used specifically where there is a sexual abuse concern. Secondly, Ms Sutherland and Mr
Christie describe the contents as having "no caution about the need to
reserve judgement as to the veracity of any allegations made by
children". Again, the purpose of the document is not to provide a
process for an investigation into any allegations, rather, the steps to be
taken to enable an investigation. It
is imperative that untrained people do not investigate sexual abuse
allegations and the process outlined in the manual gives the cleanest
possibility of achieving an unbiased and high quality investigation. We believe The
working party that developed the manual stands by its effort to increase
community understanding of this difficult and complex issue. Such complexity
is an inadequate excuse for doing nothing. Your correspondents dismiss the
concept of listening to children. This working party would say we must listen
to children when they talk of distress or abuse in their life and that we
must ensure that suitably trained specialists properly investigate such
children's concerns. |
