Michelle Remembers and satanic ritual abuse Lawrence Pazder

in 1973 pazder first started treating woman named michelle smith @ private psychiatric practice in victoria. in 1976 when pazder treating smith depression (related having had miscarriage), smith confided felt had important tell him, not remember was. shortly thereafter, pazder , smith had session smith screamed 25 minutes non-stop , started speaking in voice of five-year-old. pazder used hypnosis smith recover memories of alleged satanic ritual abuse allegedly occurred in 1954 , 1955 when smith 5 years old @ hands of mother (virginia proby) , others, whom smith alleges members of satanic cult in victoria. pazder believed on verge of uncovering vast satanic conspiracy, spend many hours @ time treating smith on 14-month period. convinced of problem of satanic ritual abuse, pazder , smith travelled vatican in 1978 alert catholic church unknown dangers children posed satanic cults worldwide. chronicles of pazder s therapy smith , subsequent memories recovered detailed in book co-authored michelle remembers. michelle remembers first published survivor account of alleged satanic ritual abuse , publishing success earning pazder , smith $100,000 hard-cover advance , $242,000 paperback rights.

after publication of michelle remembers, pazder considered expert in area of satanic ritual abuse. sudden emergence of satanic ritual abuse cases in 1980s (likely due publication of michelle remembers), pazder s expertise called upon. in 1984, pazder acted consultant in mcmartin preschool trial. pazder appeared on first major news report on satanism (broadcast on may 16, 1985), abc’s 20/20. in report titled devil worshippers , pazder discussed clues felt indicated satanic practices. pazder took part in first national seminar @ law enforcement introduced satanic ritual abuse of children (in fort collins, colorado, on september 9–12, 1986). subsequently, pazder part of ccin (cult crime impact network) , lectured police agencies satanic ritual abuse during late 1980s along other speakers such mike warnke. 1987 pazder reported spending third of time consulting on satanic ritual abuse cases. september 1990, pazder had been consulted “in more 1,000 ‘ritual abuse’ cases”.

pazder credited coining term ritual abuse describe type abuse smith alleged. @ professional conference in richmond, virginia in 1987, pazder defined ritual abuse of children repeated physical, emotional, mental, , spiritual assaults combined systematic use of symbols , secret ceremonies designed turn child against itself, family, society , god. pazder noted sexual assault has ritualistic meaning , not sexual gratification. pazder described perceived satanic problem pure group of ‘orthodox satanists’ never seen or identified in public, yet group of invisible satanists plant seeds , encourage more visible satanic groups.

further investigations allegations made in michelle remembers found no evidence support them. pazder himself stated in 1990 interview mail on sunday newspaper, whether events described in michelle remembers occurred less important smith believing occurred.