ABSTRACT: Repressed and recovered memories have been the focus of a great deal of controversy in recent years. There is strong evidence to support the claim that sexual and/or betrayal trauma can be inaccessible to the conscious mind for a period and then brought back to conscious awareness. Many reports of such previously "repressed" or "disassociated" memories have been corroborated as factual. However, there is equally strong evidence that some people may falsely remember or report sexual abuse, leading to a phenomena known as "false memories." Analysis of the existent literature on this subject is therefore inconclusive, but seems to indicate that recovered memories may be either false or accurate, and the difference is best determined by researching corroborating or mitigating information.

             Introduction.

             It is difficult to imagine not being able to trust one"s own memories. This may seem like a scenario to be reserved for those who are either delusional or senile. However, there is a vibrant field of cognitive research dealing with the insubstantial nature of memory. Studies have consistently shown that no recall is complete: eyewitness accounts often vary drastically, childhood memories slip away, and over time personal perception may warp a realistic view of the past. However, the issue of "recovered" memories of past sexual assault or abuse is a particularly difficult field, because of its heavy emotions for the victim and the degree of damage which a false accusation can make to the accused. The following two examples outline some of the difficulty surrounding this toping.

             Several years ago, a number of people came forward having recovered memories of abuse within Satanic cults. Among these was Diana Halbrooks, who during therapy recovered potent "memories" of abuse during which her mother abused and tried to kill her, her father raped her, and her baby sister was sacrificed to the devil.