:: May 11, 2003 :: Victims of falsely alleged "Satanic" abuse sue for damaged childhood Children once separated from their families due to false claims of "Satanic ritual abuse" are now suing Scottish social services, reports Scotland on Sunday. During the early 90s numerous children were taken from their families by zealous social workers that falsely claimed they were abused by parents suspected as participants in "Satanic rituals." One judge called the treatment of the children by social services, "[A] tragedy of immense proportions." A plaintiff in the suit looking back on a ruined childhood said, "My education suffered badly and I became withdrawn. I still lack self-esteem. I have no confidence in anything I do." Her mother added, "Imagine what it would feel like to have your child taken away from you, not to see her for a year and to have only limited supervised contact for another four. This matter devastated my whole family." Such unproven claims of "Satanism" and supposed "ritual abuse" still often go unchallenged within the United States and networks of "survivors" support each other in such claims. A cottage industry of "helping professionals," related books and seminars centered on such allegations continues to thrive. But many US mental health professionals have been virtually put out of business by lawsuits filed by victimized patients and/or their families. Many children are the proven victims of "cults" such as the Krishna movement, Nuwaubians and Church of God Restoration. It seems responsible professionals and public servants should focus limited resources on those proven to be victims, rather than pursuing fantastic conspiracy theories. [Posted by Rick Ross at 11:21 AM][Link] ... « Chicago Jews protest pseudo-seders | Main | Man wins $5.2 million against company closely tied to Scientology »