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What's the harm in trying to recover lost memories?
Some therapists believe they can help child abuse victims recover lost memories. The methods used have been widely discredited. It is quite easy to create false memories which are then misused as court testimony. Read more about repressed memories
Here are 23 people who were harmed by someone not thinking critically.
Peggy Ann BuckeyManhattan Beach, California |
Lost job, 3 years on trial for non-existent crimes |
| Peggy was a victim of the McMartin preschool trial, in which many innocent people were charged with crimes that never happened. This was due to hysteria and pseudoscientific witness interviews. Read more & more | |
Peggy McMartin BuckeyAge: 59 |
Lost job, Tried twice over 7 years for non-existent crimes |
| Peggy was a victim of the McMartin preschool trial, in which many innocent people were charged with crimes that never happened. This was due to hysteria and pseudoscientific witness interviews. Read more & more | |
Ray BuckeyAge: 25 |
Lost job, Jailed for five years without ever being convicted of a crime |
| Ray was a victim of the McMartin preschool trial, in which many innocent people were charged with crimes that never happened. This was due to hysteria and pseudoscientific witness interviews. Read more & more | |
Patricia BurgusAge: 41 |
False memories induced, $10.6M judgement |
| She said her therapist convinced her she had repressed memories of being part of a satanic cult by using hypnosis and other techniques. She eventually received $10.6 million in a settlement. Read more | |
State of CaliforniaLos Angeles, California |
$15 Million wasted on two trials |
| California spent millions on the McMartin preschool trial, in which many innocent people were charged with crimes that never happened. This was due to hysteria and pseudoscientific witness interviews. Seven years later, many lives were ruined. Read more & more | |
Katrina FairlieAge: 37 |
False accusations of abuse |
| She falsely accused her father of rape after "recovered memory" therapy, and it ruined her life. She sued. An settlement for £20,000 was reached with no admission of guilt. Read more | |
Margie GraftonBakersfield, California |
8 years in prison, conviction overturned |
| False memory syndrome, Satanic ritual abuse hysteria Read more & more | |
Mary Ann JacksonManhattan Beach, California |
Lost job, Spent 3 years on trial for non-existent |
| Recovered memory therapy, Satanic ritual abuse hysteria Read more & more | |
Brenda KniffenBakersfield, California |
14 years in prison, conviction overturned |
| False memory syndrome, "Wink response test", Satanic ritual abuse hysteria Read more & more | |
Scott KniffenBakersfield, California |
14 years in prison, conviction overturned |
| False memory syndrome, "Wink response test", Satanic ritual abuse hysteria Read more & more | |
Alvin McCuanBakersfield, California |
14 years in prison, conviction overturned |
| False memory syndrome, "Wink response test", Satanic ritual abuse hysteria Read more & more | |
Debbie McCuanBakersfield, California |
14 years in prison, conviction overturned |
| False memory syndrome, "Wink response test", Satanic ritual abuse hysteria Read more & more | |
Virginia McMartinAge: 77 |
Lost her 28-year business, spent 3 years on trial for non-existent crimes |
| Virginia was a victim of the McMartin preschool trial, in which many innocent people were charged with crimes that never happened. This was due to hysteria and pseudoscientific witness interviews. Read more & more | |
Margaret Kelly MichaelsAge: 23 |
7 years in prison |
| Kelly was an innocent woman charged with abusing 20 children. Trouble was, the only evidence was false memories created during interviews with the children. She was convicted, but eventually released. Read more & more | |
Jeffrey Eugene ModahlBakersfield, California |
15 years in prison, released after witnesses recan |
| False memory syndrome, Satanic ritual abuse hysteria Read more & more | |
Tim PalomoBakersfield, California |
8 years in prison, conviction overturned |
| False memory syndrome, Satanic ritual abuse hysteria Read more & more | |
Bette RaidorManhattan Beach, California |
Lost job, Spent 3 years on trial for non-existent |
| Bette was one of the victims of the McMartin preschool trial, in which several people were prosecuted for crimes that never happened based on pseudoscientific witness testimony. Read more & more | |
Gary RamonaNapa, California |
Fired & divorced after false accusation of molestation |
| His daughter sought counseling for bulimia. Her therapist (wrongly) believed most bulimia results from childhood abuse. After treatment with sodium amytal, she "recovered" memories of abuse by him. His life was ruined. He sued the therapist and won. Read more & more & more | |
Grant SelfBakersfield, California |
20 years in prison, released after witnesses recan |
| False memory syndrome, Satanic ritual abuse hysteria Read more & more | |
Mary SommerfeldArden Hills, Minnesota |
False memories, $175K damages |
| She sought treatment for trauma from abuse as a child. The therapist allegedly used guided imagery, dream interpretation, hypnosis and other tactics to induce false memories of ritual cult abuse & incest. She sued, the case was settled out of court. Read more | |
Babette SpitlerManhattan Beach, California |
Lost job, Spent 3 years on trial for non-existent |
| Babette was one of the many victims of the McMartin Preschool prosecution, in which several people were falsely accused of abuse via pseudoscientific testimony. Read more & more | |
John StollBakersfield, California |
20 years in prison, released after witnesses recan |
| False memory syndrome, Satanic ritual abuse hysteria Read more & more | |