CONFESSIONS OF A WHISTLE-BLOWER - LESSONS LEARNED

In 1988 I began a report on the accuracy of expert testimony in child sexual abuse cases utilizing Ralph Underwager and Hollida Wakefield as a case study (Wakefield & Underwager, 1988). In response, Underwager and Wakefield began a campaign of harassment and intimidation, which i ncluded multiple lawsuits; an ethics charge; phony (and secretly taped ) phone calls; and ad hominem attacks, including one that I was launde ring federal grant monies. The harassment and intimidation failed as t he author refused demands to retract. In addition, the lawsuits and et hics charges were dismissed. Lessons learned from the experience are d iscussed.