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What's the harm in fearing satanic ritual abuse?
Since the 1970s, allegations have been made that satanists engage in widespread child abuse. Scares relating to this have resulted in many ill-advised prosecutions of innocent people. Read more about satanic ritual abuse
Here are 32 people who were harmed by someone not thinking critically.
Dale AkikiAge: 36 |
2 1/2 years in jail |
| He was accused of ritual abuse of children during 90 minute Sunday school classes. There was no physical evidence and many allegations were physically impossible. He was acquitted of all charges and sued, receiving over $2 million. Read more & more | |
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 | |
Peter EllisAge: 34 |
Sentenced to 10 years in prison |
| Shortly after interest in the US ritual abuse cases spiked in New Zealand, a day-care worker was charged with crimes. As in other cases, there was no corroborating evidence other than child testimony, and many irregularities at the trial. Read more & more | |
Margie GraftonBakersfield, California |
8 years in prison, conviction overturned |
| False memory syndrome, Satanic ritual abuse hysteria Read more & more | |
Paul R. IngramOlympia, Washington |
Imprisoned, family disrupted |
| A respected leader in his community, he was accused of satanic abuse by his children, aided by a self-proclaimed prophet. He spent years in prison and was released in 2003. Many including some of his accusers now believe it was all a false memory. 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 | |
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 | |
Dawn Reed & Christopher LillieAge: 31 & 37 |
Hounded into hiding, libelled |
| Based on sketchy allegations from child interviews, they were charged with abusing children under their care. Despite being cleared by a court, allegations continued and they were hounded into hiding for years. They later won £400,000 for libel. Read more | |
Grant SelfBakersfield, California |
20 years in prison, released after witnesses recan |
| False memory syndrome, Satanic ritual abuse hysteria Read more & 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 | |
9 Scottish childrenAge: 8 - 15 |
Put in foster care |
| Social workers took the children out of their homes after allegations of satanic abuse. A judge later found that there was no basis for the charges and returned the children. Years later the families accepted an apology and a cash settlement. Read more | |