Better to Investigate Ritual abuse than to Ignore or Deny It: Shaffer Responds to Ganaway

Abstract

Shaffer responds to Ganaway's critique of the Shaffer and Cozolino (1992) qualitative investigation of reports of ritualistic abuse. Describing systematically, accurately, and factually the similarities and differences in victims’ experiences with respect to ritualistic abuse has its place as a basic research method. Until more scientific approaches are applicable, investigating claims of ritualistic abuse seems a much more responsible scientific response than simply ignoring or denying them. A more sophisticated methodology may ultimately build on the foundation provided by descriptive research. A drawback of the more scientific model is its reductionism; the better way may be to increase understanding of human behavior through enlarging understanding of victims’ phenomenological experience.