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Child sex
abuse hysteria and the Ellis case |
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The wisdom of
Gordon Waugh - Index |
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Comments by Judge Erber
about ''inflicting counselling'' on a six-year-old girl (September 10) have
drawn fire. By putting the value of counselling in perspective, Judge Erber
has brought a refreshing viewpoint to our attention. Recent research suggests
that counselling can be counter-productive and damaging. Much to the chagrin
of counsellors, some who are sexually abused do not suffer permanent or serious
damage. Counselling has become
an overrated panacea. The definition, claimed effects, and prevalence of
sexual abuse have been vastly over-stated. Poorly trained counsellors purvey
misguided belief systems, and do unnecessary damage to children and families.
As many involved in
child custody, access, and sexual-abuse disputes will attest, counselling
inflicts institutionalised abuse on children, under the cloak of officialdom
and self-proclaimed superior knowledge. For the sake of the children, counselling
and psychological interviews should not be automatically prescribed. Judge
Erber was right. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The Press A 20 year-old farm
worker was yesterday sentenced to eight months periodic detention and 12
months supervision for performing an indecent act on a six-year-old girl. Jeremy Kyle Kilpatrick,
20 (Kerry Flood), admitted the charge. A condition of the sentence is that
Kilpatrick complete a sexual offenders programme. Christchurch District
Court Judge Stephen Erber praised the girl's mother for not ''inflicting''
counselling on her daughter after the abuse. Judge Erber said the abuse in
March this year was a one-off incident and involved nothing worse than
touching, but the court was concerned about the effect on the girl. 'The mother seems to
have been extremely sensible and the girl hasn't had counselling inflicted on
her so as to bring matters back to her recollection,' the judge said. There
seemed a good chance there would be no adverse effects. |
