"DOMINION"
Wellington, New Zealand.
Wednesday, 12 December 2001.
Page 16.
Letters to the Editor
Botched inquiry result
"typical"
The botched sex abuse inquiry by psychologist Prue Vincent illustrates a
typical result by self-appointed "sex abuse experts". Their claims of
"expert" status, privilege and confidentiality, are untenable. No-one
gave them the right, privilege or authority to decide who wears the loathsome
label of "sex abuser". Their fatally flawed methods lead directly to
false conclusions.
[The
following paragraph written by Gordon Waugh, was removed by the Dominion
Editor]
She has destroyed an entire family, yet is merely fined and
censured. She claims publication of her name would destroy her career. How many
other families has she destroyed in her "career" ? What will she now do to repair the damage
she caused ?
In my opinion, the charges to which she pleaded
guilty demonstrate monumental, but not untypical, incompetence. The
Psychologists Board could de-register her but, as it has shown in the past, it
lacks the courage to act, thereby condemning itself. That she is still allowed
to practice is scandalous.
Professionalism demands that bodies controlling psychologists and counsellors
force their members to comply with scientific methods and evidential standards.
Assumption, opinion and belief are simply not good enough. Practitioners must
be made fully accountable for their work.
Nothing less will do.
Gordon Waugh
Auckland