Commentary About Cheit's Witch-Hunt Narrative: The Historical Context

Journal of Interpersonal Violence
Erna Olafson

Abstract

Ross Cheit's lengthy study is strongest when he describes in detail the findings of his 13 years of research into the original records of the key "witch hunt" cases of the 1980s to set the record straight, when possible, about what really happened. However, because this was partial history that focused primarily on the interplay between academic psychology and the media in a limited number of cases, a commentary about the broader historical and institutional context may lead to a more optimistic conclusion than Cheit seems to reach. Since this latest discovery of child sexual abuse (and its partial suppression with the rapid and predictable construction of the witch-hunt narrative), professionals across a range of disciplines continue to refine statistical science to document the prevalence and impact of child sexual abuse. They continue to enhance our understanding about children's memory and suggestibility. They have steadily refined methods to elicit full and accurate information from alleged child victims, created child advocacy centers with multidisciplinary teams to handle cases skillfully, and have developed evidence-based assessment tools and treatment protocols for substantiated victims. This solid and continuing acade...Continue Reading

References

Apr 18, 2009·Clinical Psychology Review·Noemí PeredaJuana Gómez-Benito
May 1, 2011·Development and Psychopathology·Penelope K TrickettFrank W Putnam

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Citations

Mar 1, 2017·Journal of Interpersonal Violence·Ross E Cheit
Mar 1, 2017·Journal of Interpersonal Violence·Colleen Friend, Susan M Snyder

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