Child sexual abuse allegations are extremely tricky matters to deal with as situations can range from ritual violence at one extreme to complete fabrication by vested interests at the other. A level headed approach is required that does not fall into the trap of categorizing all early childhood memories as ‘false memories’ while also being alert to possible ‘mind control’ coaching of false allegations.

The presentation covers the origins of the false memory syndrome group and the implantation of false memories that is seemingly practiced by vested interests.

Child custody and criminal cases are frequently decided based on testimony of mental health professionals who routinely appear to be poorly informed and blatantly biased.

A review of articles in the BPS publication ‘The Psychologist’ uncovered a large amount of materials written by advocates of the BFMS prompting further research.

There appears to be a multitude of articles written by BFMS associates in The Psychologist. Furthermore, instances of BPS ‘censorship’ are disconcerting. On top of this, concerns have been raised in the US about the ethics of Elizabeth Loftus–the academic ‘darling’ of the false memory movement. Finally cases have come to light where false memories were seemingly implanted by vested interests to ‘snatch’ children into authority care.

The mine field of child sexual abuse needs to be tackled with an even-handed manner considering the full range of possibilities in assessment.

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.