Recovered memory can open doors

By Name Witheld
Arizona Daily Wildcat
September 2, 1997

Editor:

Regarding Jamie Kanter's August 27 commentary ("Daddy, remember when you killed Susie?" Tuesday) on repressed memories, I was molested from about ages 8-10. The memory of those incidents were repressed until age 30 when, while on a solo drive across the country, I heard a song on the radio that my perpetrator used to sing. I recovered some memories at that time and soon began a long stint of productive therapy. Many years of alcohol/drug abuse and psychological turmoil were now readily explained and quickly eradicated. The recovered memory profoundly changed my life for the better.

I am lucky because in my case there is much more to go on than a mere memory. A little research conducted in an effort to find the perpetrator yielded some telling info: he had been sent to prison on pornography charges. A little more research yielded conclusive proof, pornographic photographs of me with the perpetrator and another man I still don't remember.

I am not familiar with the Franklin case that Mr. Kanter cites, but I would seriously question whatever "conclusive" DNA evidence vindicated Mr. Franklin if he did in fact consume child pornography and a recovered memory implicates him. I'd like to know more about these particular tests and the other evidence before passing judgment. False memories do occur; usually these are planted by a therapist. Memories are also repressed and recovered. I would expect a psychology major to know that. Blanket statements regarding the validity or fallacy of recovered memories are ill advised and destructive. There is always an objective reality, a tape recorder or video camera's point of view.

Unfortunately one is not always rolling. When a memory surfaces under hypnosis or therapy it is potentially suspect but still worth consideration. When it arises "out of the blue" or is "triggered" by some event it is wise to be cautious but it is also worthwhile to trust your instincts. In my case, the photographs proved them correct.

The sexual abuse of children is epidemic in this country, whether you believe it or not. Writers like Mr. Kanter and researchers like Dr. Loftus should be careful not to contribute to it as they search for the truth.

Name withheld at author's request