A Critical Evaluation of the Factual Accuracy and Scholarly Foundations of The Witch-Hunt Narrative

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 897-925 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Wood ◽  
Debbie Nathan ◽  
Richard Beck ◽  
Keith Hampton
Keyword(s):  
Child Abuse ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Ritual Abuse ◽  
Scholarly Literature ◽  
The Witch ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Witch Hunts ◽  
Witch Hunt

We comment on The Witch-Hunt Narrative ( TWHN) by Cheit. As its first hypothesis, TWHN argues that most of the famous ritual child abuse cases of the 1980s and 1990s were not really witch-hunts at all. In response, we criticize the TWHN definition of a witch-hunt as overly narrow and idiosyncratic. Based on the scholarly literature, we propose 10 criteria for identifying a witch-hunt. We rate four well-known ritual child abuse cases with these criteria and show they were classic witch-hunts. As its second hypothesis, TWHN argues that most defendants in child ritual abuse cases were guilty or probably guilty. In response, we point out many instances in which TWHN has omitted or mischaracterized important facts or ignored relevant scientific information running contrary to its hypotheses. We conclude that TWHN is often factually inaccurate and tends to make strong assertions without integrating relevant scholarly and scientific information. Scholars should approach the book with caution.

A Response to Articles and Commentaries on The Witch-Hunt Narrative

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1002-1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross E. Cheit
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Medical Evidence ◽  
Ritual Abuse ◽  
Overwhelming Evidence ◽  
The Witch ◽  
Children's Testimony ◽  
Witch Hunt ◽  
Sufficient Space

The articles and comments in this issue bear out the enduring impact of The Witchhunt Narrative. There is not sufficient space to acknowledge or respond to most of this feedback. This response corrects an error that was identified by one commenter and it responds to questions raised by another commenter about my analysis of the “Concerned Scientists” brief. This response also documents how Wood, Nathan, and others have misapplied the term ritual abuse, misstated the facts of many cases, and promoted “mythical numbers” that significantly exaggerate the number of false convictions. These critics are wrong about the only three cases they discuss in detail. The McMartin Preschool case began with credible evidence of child sexual abuse that continues to be distorted by critics. The Keller case began with even stronger medical evidence that is not diminished by the dubious and incomplete “retraction” of the Emeregency Room doctor. The Fuster case involved overwhelming evidence of abuse, medical and testimonial, that continues to be distored or overlooked by critics. Those who promote the witchhunt narrative rely on selective use of evidence to reach an apparently predetermined result. That is politics and advocacy, not scholarship. This dismissive approach to children’s testimony has caused documented harm to children.

The Witch-Hunt Narrative

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 784-804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Coulborn Faller
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Day Care ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Dade County ◽  
Ritual Abuse ◽  
Forensic Interview ◽  
The Witch ◽  
Day Nursery ◽  
Witch Hunt

This article provides an overview of The Witch-Hunt Narrative, focusing on the challenges of gathering information from young children, such as those involved in sexual abuse allegations in day care. The article summarizes the research methodology of The Witch-Hunt Narrative, which involves a series of case studies. The article articulates Cheit’s hypothesis, which is that the witch-hunt narrative originated in two key publications, a series of articles by two journalists, Tom Charlier and Shirley Dowling, and the book, Satan’s Silence: Ritual Abuse and the Making of a Modern-Day Witch-Hunt, by Debbie Nathan and Michael Snedeker, and notes his disputes with the evidence from these two publications. Cheit deals in depth with three hotly contested day care center cases: the McMartin Pre-School case in Manhattan Beach, California, the Wee Care Day Nursery case in Maplewood, New Jersey, and the Country Walk Babysitting Service case in Dade County, Florida. The article summarizes Cheit’s research and conclusions related to these three cases and also notes how forensic interview practices used in these cases would not be supported today. The article concludes with noting that despite the impressive progress in forensic interviewing of children when sexual abuse is alleged, methods for gathering information from young children remain inadequate. Moreover, there are no easy answers to the reasons for the rise and fall of allegations of sexual abuse in day care and of allegations of ritual abuse.

The Witch-Hunt Narrative

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 948-955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Beasley Lamb
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Day Care ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Conventional Wisdom ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The Witch ◽  
Witch Hunts ◽  
Witch Hunt

For more than two decades, conventional wisdom about the high-profile day care cases of the 1980s and early 1990s suggests all were modern-day witch hunts, based on false allegations made by highly suggestible children during an era when society was gripped by a “believe the children” hysteria. Author Ross Cheit refutes conventional wisdom by conducting an exhaustive examination of original data from dozens of cases bearing the witch hunt label. He concludes there was no witch-hunt epidemic, finding substantial evidence of sexual abuse in nearly every case he reviewed, contradicting the assertions made about those cases by what he calls the witch-hunt narrative. Cheit examines the legacy of the witch-hunt narrative and contends its exaggerated claims about the suggestibility of children have had a negative effect on the credibility of children today who allege being sexually abused. This writer examines Cheit’s conclusions in light of her own experience as a career prosecutor of crimes against children as well as her involvement in a high-profile day care case encompassed by the witch-hunt narrative. Setting the record straight about these cases is important not only for the sake of historical accuracy and intellectual honesty but also because the witch-hunt narrative’s unwarranted assertions about the suggestibility of children have had a negative effect on society’s perception of their credibility. Bringing public attention to the fallacies of the witch-hunt narrative and shining a light on questionable tactics used by some in academia to support their contention that all children are highly suggestible will ultimately serve to strengthen society’s ability to believe a child who discloses sexual abuse.

A Commentary From a Law Enforcement Perspective on The Witch-Hunt Narrative by Ross E. Cheit

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 967-978
Author(s):  
Kenneth V. Lanning
Keyword(s):  
Child Abuse ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Behavioral Science ◽  
Middle Ground ◽  
Federal Bureau ◽  
Catholic Priests ◽  
Federal Bureau Of Investigation ◽  
The Witch ◽  
Witch Hunt

As a result of his assignment to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Behavioral Science Unit, the author consulted on and has firsthand knowledge of most of the cases discussed in Cheit’s book. He came to believe that there is a middle ground. Some of what victims allege may be true and accurate, some may be misperceived or distorted, some may be symbolic, and some may be contaminated or false. The problem and challenge, however, is to determine which is which. He basically agrees with much of what Cheit sets forth about seeds of truth in many allegations. He has concerns about some confusing and inconsistent definitions. What was and is referred to by many as the backlash can be confused with what Cheit refers to in his book as the witch-hunt narrative. Many professionals, including possibly Cheit, do not seem fully aware of the wide diversity of ways in which children are sexually victimized. The author believes that any delayed reporting and minimization of recent cases involving the Catholic priests and Penn Sate have more to do with inaccurate stereotypes perpetuated by child abuse idealists than some witch-hunt narrative. From a law enforcement perspective, more benefit would have come had Cheit’s extensive research focused more on documenting how allegations became so bizarre and inaccurate and less on the alleged far-ranging harm caused by the witch-hunt narrative. In the author’s opinion, it is that process and not the witch-hunt narrative that caused most of the long-term damage discussed.

Johann Wier

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela Valente
Keyword(s):  
Sigmund Freud ◽  
16Th Century ◽  
Religious Tolerance ◽  
Medical Experience ◽  
Jean Bodin ◽  
The Witch ◽  
Witch Hunts ◽  
The Devil ◽  
Witch Hunt

This book deals with a fascinating and original claim in 16th-century Europe. Witches should be cured, not executed. It was the physician and scholar Johann Wier (1515-1588) who challenged the dominant idea. For his defense of witches, more than three centuries later, Sigmund Freud chose to put Wier’s work among the ten books to be read. According to Wier, Satan seduced witches, thus they did not deserve to be executed, but they must be cured for their melancholy. When the witch hunt was rising, Wier was the first to use some of the arguments adopted in the emerging debate on religious tolerance in defence of witches. This is the first overall study of Wier which offers an innovative view of his thought by highlighting Wier’s sources and his attempts to involve theologians, physicians, and philosophers in his fight against cruel witch hunts. Johann Wier: Debating the Devil and Witches situates and explains his claim as a result of a moral and religious path as well as the outcome of his medical experience. The book aims to provide an insightful examination of Wier’s works to read his pleas emphasizing the duty of every good Christian to not abandon anyone who strays from the flock of Christ. For these reasons, Wier was overwhelmed by bitter confutations, such as those of Jean Bodin, but he was also celebrated for his outstanding and prolific heritage for debating religious tolerance.

scholarly journals Types of outcomes in research: what is their importance?

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 267
Author(s):  
José Francisco Dos Santos ◽  
Renata Sena Dos Santos ◽  
Antônio Marcos Andrade Da Costa
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Sports Science ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Decision Making Model

Currently, in the field of sports science, we are increasingly experiencing the transition from a decision-making model based on isolated expert opinions to an evidence-based decision model. This process demands that professionals have the skills and competence to carry out a systematic critical assessment of the available scientific information, before applying an intervention. Evidence-based practice is a strategy aimed at improving the quality of care for clients or patients. This approach involves the definition of a problem, the search and critical evaluation of the available scientific evidence, the application of that evidence in clinical practice and finally the quantitative and or qualitative evaluation of the results [1]...

Identity, Community and Belonging in gcc States

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-428
Author(s):  
Miriam R. Lowi
Keyword(s):  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
The Other ◽  
National Project ◽  
Scholarly Literature ◽  
National Community ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Definition Of

Studies of identity and belonging in Gulf monarchies tend to privilege tribal or religious affiliation, if not the protective role of the ruler as paterfamilias. I focus instead on the ubiquitous foreigner and explore ways in which s/he contributes to the definition of national community in contemporary gcc states. Building upon and moving beyond the scholarly literature on imported labor in the Gulf, I suggest that the different ‘categories’ of foreigners impact identity and the consolidation of a community of privilege, in keeping with the national project of ruling families. Furthermore, I argue that the ‘European,’ the non-gcc Arab, and the predominantly Asian (and increasingly African) laborer play similar, but also distinct roles in the delineation of national community: while they are differentially incorporated in ways that protect the ‘nation’ and appease the citizen-subject, varying degrees of marginality reflect Gulf society’s perceptions or aspirations of the difference between itself and ‘the other(s).’

McCarthyism and New York's Hearst Press: A Study of Roles in the Witch Hunt.

1996 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 692
Author(s):  
Rodney Carlisle ◽  
Jim Tuck
Keyword(s):  
The Witch ◽  
Witch Hunt
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