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Believe or Disbelieve? With Particular Reference to Satanist Abuse

NCJ Number
176467
Journal
Child Abuse Review Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: October 1996 Pages: 253-262
Author(s)
M Smith; M Smith
Date Published
1996
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses issues related to believing or disbelieving allegations of Satanist abuse, whether recounted by children or by adults in later life, with emphasis on the implications for mental health professionals in the United Kingdom.
Abstract
Psychological instruments such as behavioral rating scales, questionnaire assessment, cognitive tests, projective tests, or multidimensional assessment are useful in evaluating child sexual abuse. However, the use of formal psychological instruments on their own for such purposes is very limited and problematic. In their strictly adjunctive role they may provide additional evidence and may indicate areas for further investigation, without directly questioning the child about the abuse and without being intrusive and leading. Finally, they may aid in the assessment and measurement of psychological processes that are influenced by sexual abuse and thus are secondary to it. Clinicians should combine the use of standardized measures with the traditional interview in their work with sexually abused children for the general purposes of research and the clinical identification of those in need of help in these areas. They should refrain from using, in isolation, the kinds of measures for which little empirical evidence exists. 43 references (Author abstract modified)