Allegations of ritual abuse are universal and mental health professionals, theologians, law enforcers, scholars, victim advocates, and others struggle to comprehend the enormity of the devastation left in the wake of these heinous acts. The book „Ritual Abuse in the Twenty-first Century“ addresses the concerns that naturally evolve from any discussion of this phenomenon from the perspectives of professionals, advocates, and survivors from around the world (eight countries, incl. the U.S.)
Noblitt, R.; Perskin, P. Ritual abuse in the Twenty First Century (2008) Reed Publishers, Bandon, OR p. 552
ISBN 9781934759127
* How valid are the survivors‘ stories? * Is there evidence? * What are the consequences of these acts to the individual and society? * Why have these allegations been ignored or discredited whenever they have surfaced?
The authors of these chapters respond to these and other questions in an effort to illustrate the constellation of psychological, health, legal, criminal, societal, and spiritual ramifications of ritual abuse.
The chapters address current issues including ritually based crime, civil suits involving allegations of ritual abuse, that are universal. The value of understanding ritual trauma for diagnostic and treatment applications is discussed as well.
1
Chapter 1 offers a springboard exploration & discussion of the term ritual. „Victims report that the rituals are designed to produce introjects or alter personality states who engage in various behaviors against the conscious will of the victim.“
2
A call to standardize SRA vocabulary for mental health care practitioners. The lack of a cohesive language can lead to confusing “psycho-babble,” inordinate “theoretical alternative interpretations,” and continued backlash towards the psychotherapy profession. The writers ask that vocabulary be based on respect of the data, of the survivors, and of current clinical understandings. Because society demands for and professional integrity asks for scientific reasoning to the study of ritual abuse, it only makes sense that a universal vocabulary be developed.
3
A great chapter for those seeking data. Research, methodology, endless charts, and data!
4
For therapists new to this hidden underworld. Succinct yet thorough – SRA 101, if you will. Part of the chapter dives into diagnosing and goes into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
„Belief in the existence of ritual abuse and mind control is not in the realm of acceptance in mainstream Western culture, and therefore likely to be mistaken for delusional. …. This coordinated effort to discredit reports of ritual abuse and mind control is supported by the natural human tendency to dismiss these heinous crimes as impossible because they are too disturbing to believe.“
The Spiritual Factors subheading content discusses what we know from former satanists and survivors: the cults attack God, Jesus, and Judeo-Christianity. No one has reported Buddha, Muhammad, or Hindu gods be desecrated in the same way they desecrate Jesus and God.
Authors Ellen P Lacter and Karl Lehman wrap up with validation studies including a chart. The bibliography in this chapter alone spans 23 pages!
5
Michael Salter discusses the lack in understanding the dynamics of multi-perpetrator child sexual abuse.
Pedophiles are not all the same.
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Carl Raschke discusses false memory research.
7
Martin H. Katchen looks at the facets of panics i.e. Satanic Panic.
His closing thoughts „…an atmosphere of moral panic is generally not conducive to rational thought and reality testing. That remains the fundamental problem with attempting to solve social problems with moralistic crusades and moral panics.“
8
Looks at ritual violence through the lenses of ideology. Crimes committed in allegiance to a greater good / evil or a greater god / devil. Author: Thorsten Becker
9
The premise is that threats of terrorism are the mass mind control techniques of the 21st century. Code orange and red enact fear, stress, anxiety, and depression into the hearts of the masses, which, though a less volatile procedure, is similar to the disassociation ritual abuse victims undergo. The media bring the most traumatic world events into our homes and hearts round the clock. Think helplessness: there is nothing I can do. A similar process SRA victims go through. The article goes on to describe abuses within Palestine and fundamentalist Islamic cultures. The mistreatment of women instils endemic disassociation passed on to the children. Authors: Frances R. Yoeli and Tessa Prattos
10
RAINS (Ritual Abuse Information Network and Support) is a British network that works with survivors of SRA. There are some in the US as well, like Survivorship based out of California, and many others in other countries.
11
A British policewoman, Carole Mallard, talks about SRA experiences while working as a Child Protective Services officer. Once senior supervisors realized how invested she was in helping children in SRA families and exposing the network, she was moved from the job. The modus operandi to all SRA cover-ups follow a predictable pattern and Carole’s was no different.
12
Orkney Island in Scotland from the early ’90s where social services took nine children out of four homes. Chapter author, Sarah Nelson, discusses how the interests of the children were overshadowed by the need to apologize for disrupting the abusive adults’ lives. Most poignant were the foster parents’ recounts of both the children’s bizarre behavior while in foster care and the children’s responses when learning they would be going back to their parents’ homes.
13
A report from Germany with references to many European-wide cases including Sars-la-Buissière/Marc Dutroux, Milan forests/Beasts of Satan, Angier, London’s 300 ethnic boys’ disappearance in 2001, Portugal/Casa Pia, Dutch/Zandvoort child porn scandal of 1998, and Spain/Operation Punishment in 2007. This chapter does offer hopeful outlooks in both scientific research and attitudes.
14
This chapter gauges the climate of attitudes towards SRA in the UK as of publication in 2008.
15
This is the a curious chapter in the book. Its intentions are good, but the vagueness creates a disjointed piece. The passive voice takes over, nothing is directly named or stated, and there’s little to anchor understanding. The author/therapist sought her patient’s prior approval before publishing and this may not have done the legibility justice.
16
A Christian therapist’s perspective of prayer, deliverance, and healing touch in the recovery process. Author, Tom Bell, references studies and written materials on the topic, while offering lots of interesting information. He discusses theophostic prayer to heal emotional pain.
17
Alison Miller is an amazing pioneer in psychotherapy and recovery for SRA survivors. She addresses therapy aimed at survivors of abuse by organized crime systems. This article focuses on methods used to indoctrinate children into mind controlled groups and how therapists can engage in ethical and effective therapy for these patients.
18
Written by an SRA survivor, Jean M. Riseman, who reached out to other survivors and built a community of support. This chapter offers more insight and understanding of victims, yet keeps it easily comprehensive and introductory for those without prior knowledge.
19
Author, the late Trish Fotheringham, lived through scientific mind control technique programs and shares program protocol with the reader. She breaks down the different ages in which different abuse/training occurred and how she became a candidate to begin with. Many novels have been written about these children from the 50s, 60s, and 70s who were CIA test subjects, but this author writes clearly, concisely, and lets the reader know how the system works in a very detailed & comprehensive way. She gives a glimpse at child trafficking systems and how children are trained to bring in and handle new children as well as every day family and school life, while maintaining training. A summary of this chapter can be found in her obituary.
20
Five brief case studies providing basic survivor information. They all believe that they survived their abuse so that they could some day heal and assist others. They speak in terms of light and darkness and of the choices they have made to embrace the light.
„Noblitt and Perskin have brought together, in this one book, important writings from two dozen international, multidisciplinary team members. They are experts on the psychological, forensic, social and political consequences and ramifications of ritual abuse.“ „The book explores cross-cultural reports of abusive ritual life threatening abusive ordeals, a redefining of the confusion of language toward the end of moving toward a greater clarity and uniformity in terminology, and an informed discussion of available literature regarding international reports of abuse.“ „Diagnosis, controversy, cult brain washing, satanic abuse, police and media handling, prayer, inner healing, patterns in mind control, and therapy are also discussed in detail.“ „I found the case studies to be insightful, informational, and helpful. The work is thoroughly researched and well documented“ „This is a book that should be read by mental health workers, pastors, professional counselors, political leaders, and concerned laymen.“
Richard R. Blake.