False Complaints of Sexual Assault: recovered memories of childhood sexualabuse

False complaints are easily made and carry serious consequences for the acc used. Many of those who make false claims sincerely believe the truth of wh at they report. Some are opportunistic and are consciously lying for person al gain. A special type of false allegation, the false memory syndrome, ari ses typically within therapy. People report the 'recovery' of memories of p reviously unknown childhood sexual abuse. The influence of practitioners' b eliefs and practices in the eliciting of false 'memories' and of false comp laints cannot be overlooked. The problems of diagnosis, issues of confidentiality and the role of the ex pert witness as court educator are discussed.