Suits by adults for childhood sexual abuse: Legal origins of the "repressed memory" controversy

Journal of Psychiatry and Law

Volumn 24, Issue 2, 1996, Pages 207-228

  Williams, Mary R ^a  

^a NONE

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

AMNESIA; HUMAN; LAW SUIT; LEGAL ASPECT; PSYCHODYNAMICS; PSYCHOTHERAPY; RELIABILITY; REVIEW; SEXUAL ABUSE; SOCIAL ASPECT;

EID: 0030485348     PISSN: 00931853     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1177/009318539602400205     Document Type: Article

References (57)

1. See, e.g., Meiselman, K.C., Incest: A Psychological Study of Causes and Effects with Treatment Recommendations (Jossey-Bass 1979); Herman, J., Father-Daughter Incest (Harvard University Press 1981); Summit, R., "Beyond Belief: The Reluctant Discovery of Incest," in Women's Sexual Experience, Kirkpatrick, M., ed. (Plenum Press 1982); Gelinas, D., "The Persisting Negative Effects of Incest," Psychiatry 46:312-332 (1983); Blake-White, J. & Kline, C.M., "Treating the Dissociative Process in Adult Victims of Childhood Incest," Social Casework: The Journal of Contemporary Social Work (Sept. 1985), 394-402; Russell, D., The Secret Trauma: Incest in the Lives of Girls and Women (Basic Books 1986).
2. See, e.g., Meiselman, K.C., Incest: A Psychological Study of Causes and Effects with Treatment Recommendations (Jossey-Bass 1979); Herman, J., Father-Daughter Incest (Harvard University Press 1981); Summit, R., "Beyond Belief: The Reluctant Discovery of Incest," in Women's Sexual Experience, Kirkpatrick, M., ed. (Plenum Press 1982); Gelinas, D., "The Persisting Negative Effects of Incest," Psychiatry 46:312-332 (1983); Blake-White, J. & Kline, C.M., "Treating the Dissociative Process in Adult Victims of Childhood Incest," Social Casework: The Journal of Contemporary Social Work (Sept. 1985), 394-402; Russell, D., The Secret Trauma: Incest in the Lives of Girls and Women (Basic Books 1986).
3. See, e.g., Meiselman, K.C., Incest: A Psychological Study of Causes and Effects with Treatment Recommendations (Jossey-Bass 1979); Herman, J., Father-Daughter Incest (Harvard University Press 1981); Summit, R., "Beyond Belief: The Reluctant Discovery of Incest," in Women's Sexual Experience, Kirkpatrick, M., ed. (Plenum Press 1982); Gelinas, D., "The Persisting Negative Effects of Incest," Psychiatry 46:312-332 (1983); Blake-White, J. & Kline, C.M., "Treating the Dissociative Process in Adult Victims of Childhood Incest," Social Casework: The Journal of Contemporary Social Work (Sept. 1985), 394-402; Russell, D., The Secret Trauma: Incest in the Lives of Girls and Women (Basic Books 1986).
4. See, e.g., Meiselman, K.C., Incest: A Psychological Study of Causes and Effects with Treatment Recommendations (Jossey-Bass 1979); Herman, J., Father-Daughter Incest (Harvard University Press 1981); Summit, R., "Beyond Belief: The Reluctant Discovery of Incest," in Women's Sexual Experience, Kirkpatrick, M., ed. (Plenum Press 1982); Gelinas, D., "The Persisting Negative Effects of Incest," Psychiatry 46:312-332 (1983); Blake-White, J. & Kline, C.M., "Treating the Dissociative Process in Adult Victims of Childhood Incest," Social Casework: The Journal of Contemporary Social Work (Sept. 1985), 394-402; Russell, D., The Secret Trauma: Incest in the Lives of Girls and Women (Basic Books 1986).
5. See, e.g., Meiselman, K.C., Incest: A Psychological Study of Causes and Effects with Treatment Recommendations (Jossey-Bass 1979); Herman, J., Father-Daughter Incest (Harvard University Press 1981); Summit, R., "Beyond Belief: The Reluctant Discovery of Incest," in Women's Sexual Experience, Kirkpatrick, M., ed. (Plenum Press 1982); Gelinas, D., "The Persisting Negative Effects of Incest," Psychiatry 46:312-332 (1983); Blake-White, J. & Kline, C.M., "Treating the Dissociative Process in Adult Victims of Childhood Incest," Social Casework: The Journal of Contemporary Social Work (Sept. 1985), 394-402; Russell, D., The Secret Trauma: Incest in the Lives of Girls and Women (Basic Books 1986).
6. See, e.g., Meiselman, K.C., Incest: A Psychological Study of Causes and Effects with Treatment Recommendations (Jossey-Bass 1979); Herman, J., Father-Daughter Incest (Harvard University Press 1981); Summit, R., "Beyond Belief: The Reluctant Discovery of Incest," in Women's Sexual Experience, Kirkpatrick, M., ed. (Plenum Press 1982); Gelinas, D., "The Persisting Negative Effects of Incest," Psychiatry 46:312-332 (1983); Blake-White, J. & Kline, C.M., "Treating the Dissociative Process in Adult Victims of Childhood Incest," Social Casework: The Journal of Contemporary Social Work (Sept. 1985), 394-402; Russell, D., The Secret Trauma: Incest in the Lives of Girls and Women (Basic Books 1986).
7. See, e.g., Saiten, M.G., "Statutes of Limitations in Civil Incest Suits: Preserving the Victim's Remedy," 7 Harv. Women's L.J. 189 (1984); DeRose, D.M., "Adult Incest Survivors and the Statute of Limitations: The Delayed Discovery Rule and Long-Term Damages," 25 Santa Clara L. Rev. 191 (1985); Harshaw, J.W., "Not Enough Time?: The Constitutionality of Short Statutes of Limitations for Civil Child Sexual Abuse Litigation," 50 Ohio St. L.J. 753 (1989); Bickel, L., "Tolling the Statute of Limitations in Actions Brought by Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse," 33 Arizona L. Rev. 427 (1991).
8. See, e.g., Saiten, M.G., "Statutes of Limitations in Civil Incest Suits: Preserving the Victim's Remedy," 7 Harv. Women's L.J. 189 (1984); DeRose, D.M., "Adult Incest Survivors and the Statute of Limitations: The Delayed Discovery Rule and Long-Term Damages," 25 Santa Clara L. Rev. 191 (1985); Harshaw, J.W., "Not Enough Time?: The Constitutionality of Short Statutes of Limitations for Civil Child Sexual Abuse Litigation," 50 Ohio St. L.J. 753 (1989); Bickel, L., "Tolling the Statute of Limitations in Actions Brought by Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse," 33 Arizona L. Rev. 427 (1991).
9. See, e.g., Saiten, M.G., "Statutes of Limitations in Civil Incest Suits: Preserving the Victim's Remedy," 7 Harv. Women's L.J. 189 (1984); DeRose, D.M., "Adult Incest Survivors and the Statute of Limitations: The Delayed Discovery Rule and Long-Term Damages," 25 Santa Clara L. Rev. 191 (1985); Harshaw, J.W., "Not Enough Time?: The Constitutionality of Short Statutes of Limitations for Civil Child Sexual Abuse Litigation," 50 Ohio St. L.J. 753 (1989); Bickel, L., "Tolling the Statute of Limitations in Actions Brought by Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse," 33 Arizona L. Rev. 427 (1991).
10. See, e.g., Saiten, M.G., "Statutes of Limitations in Civil Incest Suits: Preserving the Victim's Remedy," 7 Harv. Women's L.J. 189 (1984); DeRose, D.M., "Adult Incest Survivors and the Statute of Limitations: The Delayed Discovery Rule and Long-Term Damages," 25 Santa Clara L. Rev. 191 (1985); Harshaw, J.W., "Not Enough Time?: The Constitutionality of Short Statutes of Limitations for Civil Child Sexual Abuse Litigation," 50 Ohio St. L.J. 753 (1989); Bickel, L., "Tolling the Statute of Limitations in Actions Brought by Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse," 33 Arizona L. Rev. 427 (1991).
11. Hammer v. Hammer (Wis.App. 1987) 142 Wis.2d 257, 418 N.W.2d 23; Osland v. Osland (N.D. 1989) 442 N.W.2d 907.
12. Tyson v. Tyson (Wash. 1986) 107 Wash.2d 72, 727 P.2d 226 [superseded by statute]; DeRose v. Carswell (Cal.App. 1987) 196 Cal.App.3d 1011, 242 Cal.Rptr. 368 [superseded by statute]; E.W. v. D.C.H. (Mont. 1988) 754 P.2d 817 [superseded by statute]; Cassidy v. Smith (Colo.App. 1991) 817 P.2d 555 [superseded by statute]; O'Neal v. Division of Family Services (Utah 1991) 821 P.2d 1139 [superseded by statute].
13. Alaska Stat., Title 9, Section 09.10.140; Arkansas Code Ann., Title 16, Section 16-56-130; California Codes Ann., Code of Civil Procedure, Section 340.1; Colorado Rev. Stat. Ann., Title 13, Section 13-80-103.7; Florida Stat. Ann., Title VIII, Section 95.11; Illinois Compiled Stat. Ann., Act 5, Article 13, Section 5/13-202.2; Iowa Code Ann., Title XXXI, Chapter 614, Section 614.8A; Kansas Stat. Ann., Chapter 60, Section 60-523; Maine Rev. Stat. Ann., Title 14, Section 752-C; Ann. Laws of Massachusetts, Part 3, Title V, Chapter 260, Section 4C; Minnesota Stat. Ann., Part IV, Chapter 541, Section 541.073; Ann. Missouri Stat., Chapter 537, Section 537.046; Montana Code Ann., Title 27, Chapter 2, Section 27-2-216; Nevada Rev. Stat. Ann., Title 2, Chapter 11, Section 11:215; New Jersey Stat. Ann., Title 2A, Chapter 61B, Section 2A:61B-1; New Mexico Stat. 1978 Ann., Chapter 37, Section 37-1-30; Oklahoma Stat. Ann., Title 12, Chapter 3, Section 95, Subsection 6: Oregon Rev. Stat., Title 2, Chapter 12, Section 12.117; Gen. Laws of Rhode Island, Title 9, Section 9-1-51; South Dakota Cod. Laws, Title 26, Chapter 26-10, Section 26-10-25; Utah Code Ann., Title 78, Chapter 12, Section 78-12-25.1; Vermont Stat. Ann., Title 12, Chapter 23, Section 522; Code of Virginia Ann., Title 8.01, Section 8.01-249; Rev. Code of Washington, Title 4, Section 416.340; Wisconsin Stat. Ann., Chapter 893, Section 893.587; Wyoming Stat Ann., Title 1, Chapter 3, Section 1-3-105(b).
14. Connecticut Gen. Stat. Ann., Title 52, Section 52-577d; Code of Georgia Ann. (1994 Rev.), Title 9, Section 9-3-33.1; Idaho Code, Title 6, Sections 6-1701 to 6-1705; Louisiana Stat. Ann. Rev., Title 9, Section 2800.9; Texas Codes Ann., Civil Practice & Remedies Code, Section 16.0045.
15. Osland v. Osland, supra, 442 N.W.2d 907; Farris v. Compton (D.C.App. 1994) 652 A.2d 49; Ault v. Jasko (Ohio 1994) 70 Ohio St.3d 114, 637 N.E.2d 870; Conrad v. Hazen (N.H. 1995) _ N.H. _, 665 A.2d 372.
16. Fager v. Hundt (Ind. 1993) 610 N.E.2d 246; Leonard v. England (N.C.App. 1994) 115 N.C.App. 103, 445 S.E.2d 50, rev.grtd.
17. The author's research has found approximately 150 published appellate decisions on limitations issues in adult CSA actions. Assuming there are at least 10 and possibly as many as 100 actions filed for every one that becomes the subject of a published decision, there may have been anywhere from 1,500 to 15,000 such actions filed to date.
18. Gardiner, R.A., "Belated Realization of Child Sexual Abuse by an Adult," Issues in Child Abuse Allegations 4:177-197; Wakefield, H. & Underwager, R., "Uncovering Memories of Alleged Sexual Abuse: The Therapists Who Do It," Issues in Child Abuse Allegations 4:197-213; Loftus, E. & Ketcham, K., The Myth of Repressed Memory (St. Martin's Press 1994); Ofshe, R. & Watters, E., Making Monsters: False Memories, Psychotherapy, and Sexual Hysteria (Charles Scribner's Sons 1994).
19. Gardiner, R.A., "Belated Realization of Child Sexual Abuse by an Adult," Issues in Child Abuse Allegations 4:177-197; Wakefield, H. & Underwager, R., "Uncovering Memories of Alleged Sexual Abuse: The Therapists Who Do It," Issues in Child Abuse Allegations 4:197-213; Loftus, E. & Ketcham, K., The Myth of Repressed Memory (St. Martin's Press 1994); Ofshe, R. & Watters, E., Making Monsters: False Memories, Psychotherapy, and Sexual Hysteria (Charles Scribner's Sons 1994).
20. Gardiner, R.A., "Belated Realization of Child Sexual Abuse by an Adult," Issues in Child Abuse Allegations 4:177-197; Wakefield, H. & Underwager, R., "Uncovering Memories of Alleged Sexual Abuse: The Therapists Who Do It," Issues in Child Abuse Allegations 4:197-213; Loftus, E. & Ketcham, K., The Myth of Repressed Memory (St. Martin's Press 1994); Ofshe, R. & Watters, E., Making Monsters: False Memories, Psychotherapy, and Sexual Hysteria (Charles Scribner's Sons 1994).
21. Gardiner, R.A., "Belated Realization of Child Sexual Abuse by an Adult," Issues in Child Abuse Allegations 4:177-197; Wakefield, H. & Underwager, R., "Uncovering Memories of Alleged Sexual Abuse: The Therapists Who Do It," Issues in Child Abuse Allegations 4:197-213; Loftus, E. & Ketcham, K., The Myth of Repressed Memory (St. Martin's Press 1994); Ofshe, R. & Watters, E., Making Monsters: False Memories, Psychotherapy, and Sexual Hysteria (Charles Scribner's Sons 1994).
22. Pope, K.S., "Memory, Abuse, and Science: Questioning Claims About the False Memory Syndrome Epidemic," American Psychologist 51:957-974 (1996); Brown, D., "Pseudomemories: The Standard of Science and the Standard of Care in Trauma Treatment," American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 37:1-24 (1995); Zerbe Enns, C., McNeilly, C.L., Madison Corkery, J. & Gilbert, M.S., "The Debate About Delayed Memories of Child Sexual Abuse: A Feminist Perspective," The Counseling Psychologist 23:181-279 (1995).
23. Pope, K.S., "Memory, Abuse, and Science: Questioning Claims About the False Memory Syndrome Epidemic," American Psychologist 51:957-974 (1996); Brown, D., "Pseudomemories: The Standard of Science and the Standard of Care in Trauma Treatment," American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 37:1-24 (1995); Zerbe Enns, C., McNeilly, C.L., Madison Corkery, J. & Gilbert, M.S., "The Debate About Delayed Memories of Child Sexual Abuse: A Feminist Perspective," The Counseling Psychologist 23:181-279 (1995).
24. Pope, K.S., "Memory, Abuse, and Science: Questioning Claims About the False Memory Syndrome Epidemic," American Psychologist 51:957-974 (1996); Brown, D., "Pseudomemories: The Standard of Science and the Standard of Care in Trauma Treatment," American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 37:1-24 (1995); Zerbe Enns, C., McNeilly, C.L., Madison Corkery, J. & Gilbert, M.S., "The Debate About Delayed Memories of Child Sexual Abuse: A Feminist Perspective," The Counseling Psychologist 23:181-279 (1995).
25. Gary Ramona v. March Isabella et al., Napa County California Superior Court No. 61898.
26. For a detailed account and thorough analysis of the Ramona case and its implications, see Bowman, C.G. & Mertz, E., "A Dangerous Direction: Legal Intervention in Sexual Abuse Survivor Therapy," 100 Harv. L. Rev. 549 (1996).
27. Molien v. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (Cal. 1980) 27 Cal.3d 916, 616 P.2d 813.
28. See, e.g., Sullivan v. Cheshire (N.D.Ill. 1994) 846 F.Supp. 654; Bird v. W.C.W. (Tex. 1994) 868 S.W.2d 767; Tuman v. Genesis Associates (E.D.Pa. 1995) 894 F.Supp. 183.
29. For an example of such collaboration, see Alpert; J.L., ed., Sexual Abuse Recalled: Treating Trauma in the Era of the Recovered Memory Debate (Jason Aronson 1995). Cf. Working Group on Investigation of Memories of Childhood Abuse: Final Report, American Psychological Association (1996).
30. For an example of such collaboration, see Alpert; J.L., ed., Sexual Abuse Recalled: Treating Trauma in the Era of the Recovered Memory Debate (Jason Aronson 1995). Cf. Working Group on Investigation of Memories of Childhood Abuse: Final Report, American Psychological Association (1996).
31. DeRose v. Carswell, supra, 242 Cal.Rptr. 368; E.W. v. D.C.H., supra, 754 P.2d 817.
32. Olsen v. Hooley (1993) 865 P.2d 1345; Farris v. Compton, supra, 652 A.2d 49; Ault v. Jasko, supra, 637 N.E.2d 870.
33. Oklahoma Stat. Ann., Title 12, Chapter 3, Section 95, Subsection 6; Utah Code Ann., Title 78, Chapter 12, Section 78-12-25.1.
34. Blackowiak v. Kemp (Minn. 1996) 546 N.W.2d 1.
35. Lent v. Doe (Cal.App. 1995) 40 Cal.App.4th 1177, 47 Cal.Rptr.2d 389, rev.den.
36. D.P. v. M.J.O. (Ill.App. 1994) 266 Ill.App.3d 1029, 640 N.E.2d 1323.
37. Frideres v. Schütz (Iowa 1995) 540 N.W.2d 261.
38. Flanagan v. Grant (D.Mass. 1995) 897 F.Supp. 637.
39. Cosgriffe v. Cosgriffe (Mont. 1993) 864 P.2d 776.
40. Conrad v. Hazen, supra, 665 A.2d 372.
41. Martinez-Sandoval v. Kirsch (N.M.App. 1994) 118 N.M.App. 616, 884 P.2d 507, rev.den.
42. Osland v. Osland, supra, 442 N.W.2d 907.
43. Hammer v. Hammer, supra, 418 N.W.2d 23.
44. Colorado Rev. Stat. Ann., title 13, Section 13-80-103.7.
45. Florida Stat. Ann., Title VIII, Section 95.11. However, the retroactivity provision of the statute has been held unconstitutional. Wiley v. Roof (Fla. 1994) 641 So.2d 66.
46. Kansas Stat. Ann., Chapter 60, Section 60-523. However, the retroactivity provision has been held unable to revive actions extinguished by the previously existing statute of repose. Swartz v. Swartz (Kan.App. 1995) 20 Kan.App.2d 704, 894 P.2d 209.
47. New Jersey Stat. Ann., Title 2A, Chapter 61B, Section 2A:61B-1.
48. Oregon Rev. Stat., Title 2, Chapter 12, Section 12.117.
49. Code of Virginia Ann., Title 8.01, Section 8.01-249.
50. Rev. Code of Washington Ann., Title 4, Section 4.16.340. See legislative direction of intent, Laws 1991, ch. 212, s. 1.
51. Alaska Stat., Title 9, Sections 09.10.060 and 09.10.140; Arkansas Code Ann., Title 16, Section 16-56-130; Maine Rev. Stat. Ann., Title 14, Section 752-C; Ann. Missouri Stat., Chapter 537, Section 537.046; Nevada Rev. Stat. Ann., Title 2, Chapter 11, Section 11.215; Gen. Laws of Rhode Island, Title 9, Section 9-1-51; South Dakota Cod. Laws, Title 26, Chapter 26-10, Sections 26-10-25 through 26-10-29; Vermont Stat. Ann., Title 12, Chapter 23, Section 522; Wyoming Stat. Ann., Title 1, Chapter 3, Section 1-3-105(b).
52. See, e.g., DeRose v. Carswell, supra, 242 Cal.Rptr. 368 [superseded by statute]; E.W. v. D.C.H., supra, 754 P.2d 817 [superseded by statute]; O'Neal v. Division of Family Services, supra, 821 P.2d 1139 [superseded by statute]; Bock v. Harmon (La.App. 1988) 526 So.2d 292.
53. Seto v. Willits (Pa.Super. 1994) 432 Pa.Super. 346, 638 A.2d 258; Lemmerman v. Fealk (Mich. 1995) 449 Mich. 56, 534 N.W.2d 695; S.V. v. R.V. (Tex. 1996) 1996 WL 112206 [not yet released for publication in official reports and subject to modification or withdrawal until published]; Doe v. Maskell (Md. 1996) 342 Md. 684, 679 A.2d 1087.
54. Farris v. Compton, supra, 652 A.2d 49.
55. Shazade v. Gregory (D.Mass. 1996) __ F.Supp. __, 1996 WL 243018; Isely v. Capuchin Province (E.D.Mich. 1995) 877 F.Supp. 1055.
56. Seto v. Willits, supra, 638 A.2d 258; Lovelace v. Keohane, supra, 831 P.2d 624; Roe v. Doe (4th Cir. 1994) 28 F.3d 404.
57. DeRose v. Carswell, supra, 242 Cal.Rptr. 368 [superseded by statute]; E.W. v. D.C.H., supra, 754 P.2d 817 [superseded by statute]; O'Neal v. Division of Family Services, supra, 821 P.2d 1139 [superseded by statute]; Blackowiak v. Kemp, supra, 546 N.W.2d 1.