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Ritual Abuse in the Twenty-First Century: Psychological, Forensic, Social, and Political Considerations
Allegations of ritual abuse are universal and mental health professionals, theologians, law enforcers, scholars, victim advocates, and others struggle to comprehend the enormity of the devastation left in the wake of these heinous acts. Ritual Abuse in the Twenty-first Century addresses the concerns that naturally evolve from any discussion of this phenomenon from the perspectives of professionals, advocates, and survivors from around the world (eight countries, seven states in the U.S.) * How valid are the survivors' stories? * Is there evidence? * What are the consequences of these acts to the individual and society? * Why have these allegations been ignored or discredited whenever they have surfaced? The authors of these chapters respond to these and other questions in an effort to illustrate the constellation of psychological, health, legal, criminal, societal, and spiritual ramifications of ritual abuse. Chapters address current issues including ritually based crime, civil suits involving allegations of ritual abuse, that are universal. The value of understanding ritual trauma for diagnostic and treatment applications is discussed.
Chapter 4 is named Differential diagnosis between Schizophrenia and Ritual Abuse/Mind Control Traumatic Stress, written by Dr Ellen P. Lacter and Karl Lehman.
Chapter 4 is named Differential diagnosis between Schizophrenia and Ritual Abuse/Mind Control Traumatic Stress, written by Dr Ellen P. Lacter and Karl Lehman.
- GenresPsychology
552 pages, Paperback
First published September 9, 2008
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December 4, 2025
READ THIS —> Chapter 17 is worth both undergraduate and graduate degrees combined. It offers the blueprint for the detection & treatment of extreme DID. It explains the severe abuse process used to achieve DID starting in infancy, then lays out best practices to work with these clients. If you are in the mental healthcare field, chapter 17 alone is absolutely worth the purchase.
I’m coming out strong because after this paragraph is one of the longest reviews I’ve ever left. You are unlikely to read it all, so I’m putting the most important information first.
The Noblitts offer a research based textbook (yes, it could and should be used in college mental health classrooms) filled with scholarly articles on the controversial topic of ritual abuse. Each chapter is its own essay/article authored by different experts in the field. Completely worth whatever price Amazon is asking. I borrowed mine from the library, but feel this is one worth owning especially for anyone in the mental health care arena.
Here’s a summary of individual chapters, twenty in total:
1
Chapter 1 offers a springboard exploration & discussion of the term ritual. A sentence that stuck with me: Victims report that the rituals are designed to produce introjects or alter personality states who engage in various behaviors against the conscious will of the victim. I wonder what percentage of these personality states contribute to our nation’s violence statistics? (As I type this, California reports another school shooting in Santa Clarita.)
2
A call to standardize SRA vocabulary for mental health care practitioners. The lack of a cohesive language can lead to confusing “psycho-babble,” inordinate “theoretical alternative interpretations,” and continued backlash towards the psychotherapy profession. The Noblitts ask that vocabulary be based on respect of the data, of the survivors, and of current clinical understandings. Because society demands for and professional integrity asks for scientific reasoning to the study of ritual abuse, it only makes sense that a universal vocabulary be developed.
3
A great chapter for those seeking data. Research, methodology, endless charts, and DATA! I skimmed because I don’t require data to believe. But for those who need data based research, this chapter satisfies.
4
For therapists new to this hidden underworld. Succinct yet thorough - SRA 101, if you will. Part of the chapter dives into diagnosing and goes into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). My degree in armchair psychotherapy does not allow me to engage with much of it, but licensed mental health professionals should have no trouble getting it. The Spiritual Factors subheading content is the exact reason I’m exploring Christianity and gearing up to read the bible. From what we know thanks to former satanists and survivors, the cults attack God, Jesus, and Judeo-Christianity. No one has reported satanists attacking faith in Buddha, Muhammad, or any Hindu gods in the same way they desecrate Jesus and God. That was the proof I needed to know Christianity and the Bible may be onto something. Authors, Ellen P Lacter and Karl Lehman, wrap up with validation studies including a chart. The bibliography in this chapter alone span 23 pages!
On point quote from this chapter:
Belief in the existence of ritual abuse and mind control is not in the realm of acceptance in mainstream Western culture, and therefore likely to be mistaken for delusional. …. This coordinated effort to discredit reports of ritual abuse and mind control is supported by the natural human tendency to dismiss these heinous crimes as impossible because they are too disturbing to believe.
5
Michael Salter discusses lack in understanding the dynamics of multi-perpetrator child sexual abuse. Pedophiles are not all the same.
6
Carl Raschke discusses false memory BS (my title, not his.) I become verklempt when faced with FMS, so I skipped this chapter.
7
Martin H. Katchen looks at the facets of panics i.e. Satanic Panic. His final thoughts, …an atmosphere of moral panic is generally not conducive to rational thought and reality testing. That remains the fundamental problem with attempting to solve social problems with moralistic crusades and moral panics.
8
Looking at ritual violence through the lenses of ideology. Crimes committed in allegiance to a greatergood evil; greater god devil. Author: Thorsten Becker
9
Whoa! Mind blowing premise. Ever looming threats of terrorism are the mass mind control techniques of the 21st century. Code orange, code yellow, and code red enact fear, stress, anxiety, and depression into the hearts of the masses, a less volatile procedure, but similar to the disassociation ritual abuse victims undergo. The media brings the most traumatic world events into our homes and hearts round the clock. We are all lulled into believing evil, violence, and annihilation are part of normal life = psychic numbing equates massive disassociation (think helplessness; if there’s nothing I can do, I’ll ignore that it’s there.) Once again, a similar process SRA victims go through. The components of SRA are the same as terrorism (however this terrorism shows up - bombings, hijackings, computer hackers, identity theft - what instills fear into the masses? That’s disassociation through terrorism.) The article goes on to describe abuses within Palestine and fundamentalist Islamic cultures. The mistreatment of women instills endemic disassociation passed on to the children. Authors: Frances R. Yoeli and Tessa Prattos
10
RAINS (Ritual Abuse Information Network and Support) is a British network that works with survivors of SRA. There are some in the US as well. One called Survivorship is based out of California.
11
A British policewoman, Carole Mallard, talks about SRA experiences she learned of working as a Child Protective Services officer. Once senior supervisors realized how invested she was in helping children in SRA families and exposing the network, she was moved from the job. The modus operandi to all SRA cover-ups follows a predictable pattern and Carole’s was no different.
12
Orkney Island in Scotland from the early 90s when social services took nine children out of four homes. Chapter author, Sarah Nelson, discusses how the interests of the children were overshadowed by the need to apologize for disrupting the abusive adults’ lives. Most poignant were the foster parents’ recounts of both the children’s bizarre behavior while in foster care and the children’s responses when learning they’d be going back to their parents’ homes. Heartbreaking.
13
A report from Germany with references to many European-wide cases including Sars-la-Buissière/Marc Dutroux, Milan forests/Beasts of Satan, Angier, London’s 300 ethnic boys’ disappearance in 2001, Portugal/Casa Pia, Dutch/Zandvoort child porn scandal of 1998, and Spain/Operation Punishment in 2007. This chapter does offer hopeful outlooks in both scientific research and attitudes.
14
This chapter gauges the climate of attitudes towards SRA in the UK as of publication in 2008.
15
This is the most curious chapter in the book. Its intentions are good, but the vagueness creates a disjointed piece. The passive voice takes over, nothing is directly named or stated, and there’s little to anchor understanding. I didn’t know which end was up. The author/therapist sought her patient’s prior approval before publishing said patient’s experience, so I’m wondering if the need to appease supplants the efficacy of the story?
16
A Christian therapist’s perspective of prayer, deliverance, and healing touch in the recovery process. It expands my summary of chapter 4. I have found no ex-satanists’ accounts that recall blaspheming against any gods or deities other than God and Jesus. No ex-satanists recall blaspheming against any religions other than Christianity. That means something. I’m paying attention and I’m giving a second look at Jesus because of this. Author, Tom Bell, references other studies and written materials on the topic, while offering lots of interesting information. I had never heard of TheoPhostic prayer, but it sounds useful and makes perfect sense. This may be my favorite chapter.
17
Alison Miller! She is an amazing pioneer in psychotherapy and recovery for SRA survivors. She addresses therapy aimed at survivors of abuse by organized crime systems, definition of which expands beyond the mafia. This article focuses on methods used to indoctrinate children into mind controlled groups and how therapists can engage in ethical and effective therapy for these patients. Really, Allison Miller should be mandatory reading in all mental health degree programs.
18
Written by an SRA survivor, Jean M. Riseman, who reached out to other survivors and built a community of support. After researching this topic for over a year non-stop, thought I’d read it all. No. This chapter offers more insight and understanding of victims, yet keeps it easily comprehensive and introductory for those without prior knowledge. Well written.
19
Author, Trish Fotheringham, lived through scientific mind control technique programs and shares program protocol with the reader. She breaks down the different ages in which different abuse/training occurred and how she became a candidate to begin with. Many novels have been written about these children from the 50s, 60s, and 70s who were CIA test subjects. It never gets easier to read, but this author writes clearly, concisely, and lets the reader know how the system works in a very, very detailed & comprehensive way. She gives a glimpse at child trafficking systems and how children are trained to bring in and handle new children as well as a glimpse of everyday family/school, while maintaining training. Page 528 rocked my world in ways beyond what can be described here. Briefly, Trish turned against the cult right in the middle of a ritual ceremony. Participant reactions are very, very telling.
20
Five brief case studies providing basic survivor information. They all believe that they survived their abuse so that they could some day heal and assist others. They all speak in terms of light and darkness and of the choices they have made to embrace the light.
Thank you for reading to the end of this review. It’s too long, but worth it for my own record.
What I didn’t mention in the chapter summaries, but is also invaluable are the footnotes. Overflowing with more relevant information.
I’ve included many author names in their respective summaries. I recommend going to YouTube or any search engine, typing in the author’s name and adding “interview.” Lots more enriching material and insights to be found. Allison Miller is on YouTube as is Trish Fotheringham.
I’m coming out strong because after this paragraph is one of the longest reviews I’ve ever left. You are unlikely to read it all, so I’m putting the most important information first.
The Noblitts offer a research based textbook (yes, it could and should be used in college mental health classrooms) filled with scholarly articles on the controversial topic of ritual abuse. Each chapter is its own essay/article authored by different experts in the field. Completely worth whatever price Amazon is asking. I borrowed mine from the library, but feel this is one worth owning especially for anyone in the mental health care arena.
Here’s a summary of individual chapters, twenty in total:
1
Chapter 1 offers a springboard exploration & discussion of the term ritual. A sentence that stuck with me: Victims report that the rituals are designed to produce introjects or alter personality states who engage in various behaviors against the conscious will of the victim. I wonder what percentage of these personality states contribute to our nation’s violence statistics? (As I type this, California reports another school shooting in Santa Clarita.)
2
A call to standardize SRA vocabulary for mental health care practitioners. The lack of a cohesive language can lead to confusing “psycho-babble,” inordinate “theoretical alternative interpretations,” and continued backlash towards the psychotherapy profession. The Noblitts ask that vocabulary be based on respect of the data, of the survivors, and of current clinical understandings. Because society demands for and professional integrity asks for scientific reasoning to the study of ritual abuse, it only makes sense that a universal vocabulary be developed.
3
A great chapter for those seeking data. Research, methodology, endless charts, and DATA! I skimmed because I don’t require data to believe. But for those who need data based research, this chapter satisfies.
4
For therapists new to this hidden underworld. Succinct yet thorough - SRA 101, if you will. Part of the chapter dives into diagnosing and goes into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). My degree in armchair psychotherapy does not allow me to engage with much of it, but licensed mental health professionals should have no trouble getting it. The Spiritual Factors subheading content is the exact reason I’m exploring Christianity and gearing up to read the bible. From what we know thanks to former satanists and survivors, the cults attack God, Jesus, and Judeo-Christianity. No one has reported satanists attacking faith in Buddha, Muhammad, or any Hindu gods in the same way they desecrate Jesus and God. That was the proof I needed to know Christianity and the Bible may be onto something. Authors, Ellen P Lacter and Karl Lehman, wrap up with validation studies including a chart. The bibliography in this chapter alone span 23 pages!
On point quote from this chapter:
Belief in the existence of ritual abuse and mind control is not in the realm of acceptance in mainstream Western culture, and therefore likely to be mistaken for delusional. …. This coordinated effort to discredit reports of ritual abuse and mind control is supported by the natural human tendency to dismiss these heinous crimes as impossible because they are too disturbing to believe.
5
Michael Salter discusses lack in understanding the dynamics of multi-perpetrator child sexual abuse. Pedophiles are not all the same.
6
Carl Raschke discusses false memory BS (my title, not his.) I become verklempt when faced with FMS, so I skipped this chapter.
7
Martin H. Katchen looks at the facets of panics i.e. Satanic Panic. His final thoughts, …an atmosphere of moral panic is generally not conducive to rational thought and reality testing. That remains the fundamental problem with attempting to solve social problems with moralistic crusades and moral panics.
8
Looking at ritual violence through the lenses of ideology. Crimes committed in allegiance to a greater
9
Whoa! Mind blowing premise. Ever looming threats of terrorism are the mass mind control techniques of the 21st century. Code orange, code yellow, and code red enact fear, stress, anxiety, and depression into the hearts of the masses, a less volatile procedure, but similar to the disassociation ritual abuse victims undergo. The media brings the most traumatic world events into our homes and hearts round the clock. We are all lulled into believing evil, violence, and annihilation are part of normal life = psychic numbing equates massive disassociation (think helplessness; if there’s nothing I can do, I’ll ignore that it’s there.) Once again, a similar process SRA victims go through. The components of SRA are the same as terrorism (however this terrorism shows up - bombings, hijackings, computer hackers, identity theft - what instills fear into the masses? That’s disassociation through terrorism.) The article goes on to describe abuses within Palestine and fundamentalist Islamic cultures. The mistreatment of women instills endemic disassociation passed on to the children. Authors: Frances R. Yoeli and Tessa Prattos
10
RAINS (Ritual Abuse Information Network and Support) is a British network that works with survivors of SRA. There are some in the US as well. One called Survivorship is based out of California.
11
A British policewoman, Carole Mallard, talks about SRA experiences she learned of working as a Child Protective Services officer. Once senior supervisors realized how invested she was in helping children in SRA families and exposing the network, she was moved from the job. The modus operandi to all SRA cover-ups follows a predictable pattern and Carole’s was no different.
12
Orkney Island in Scotland from the early 90s when social services took nine children out of four homes. Chapter author, Sarah Nelson, discusses how the interests of the children were overshadowed by the need to apologize for disrupting the abusive adults’ lives. Most poignant were the foster parents’ recounts of both the children’s bizarre behavior while in foster care and the children’s responses when learning they’d be going back to their parents’ homes. Heartbreaking.
13
A report from Germany with references to many European-wide cases including Sars-la-Buissière/Marc Dutroux, Milan forests/Beasts of Satan, Angier, London’s 300 ethnic boys’ disappearance in 2001, Portugal/Casa Pia, Dutch/Zandvoort child porn scandal of 1998, and Spain/Operation Punishment in 2007. This chapter does offer hopeful outlooks in both scientific research and attitudes.
14
This chapter gauges the climate of attitudes towards SRA in the UK as of publication in 2008.
15
This is the most curious chapter in the book. Its intentions are good, but the vagueness creates a disjointed piece. The passive voice takes over, nothing is directly named or stated, and there’s little to anchor understanding. I didn’t know which end was up. The author/therapist sought her patient’s prior approval before publishing said patient’s experience, so I’m wondering if the need to appease supplants the efficacy of the story?
16
A Christian therapist’s perspective of prayer, deliverance, and healing touch in the recovery process. It expands my summary of chapter 4. I have found no ex-satanists’ accounts that recall blaspheming against any gods or deities other than God and Jesus. No ex-satanists recall blaspheming against any religions other than Christianity. That means something. I’m paying attention and I’m giving a second look at Jesus because of this. Author, Tom Bell, references other studies and written materials on the topic, while offering lots of interesting information. I had never heard of TheoPhostic prayer, but it sounds useful and makes perfect sense. This may be my favorite chapter.
17
Alison Miller! She is an amazing pioneer in psychotherapy and recovery for SRA survivors. She addresses therapy aimed at survivors of abuse by organized crime systems, definition of which expands beyond the mafia. This article focuses on methods used to indoctrinate children into mind controlled groups and how therapists can engage in ethical and effective therapy for these patients. Really, Allison Miller should be mandatory reading in all mental health degree programs.
18
Written by an SRA survivor, Jean M. Riseman, who reached out to other survivors and built a community of support. After researching this topic for over a year non-stop, thought I’d read it all. No. This chapter offers more insight and understanding of victims, yet keeps it easily comprehensive and introductory for those without prior knowledge. Well written.
19
Author, Trish Fotheringham, lived through scientific mind control technique programs and shares program protocol with the reader. She breaks down the different ages in which different abuse/training occurred and how she became a candidate to begin with. Many novels have been written about these children from the 50s, 60s, and 70s who were CIA test subjects. It never gets easier to read, but this author writes clearly, concisely, and lets the reader know how the system works in a very, very detailed & comprehensive way. She gives a glimpse at child trafficking systems and how children are trained to bring in and handle new children as well as a glimpse of everyday family/school, while maintaining training. Page 528 rocked my world in ways beyond what can be described here. Briefly, Trish turned against the cult right in the middle of a ritual ceremony. Participant reactions are very, very telling.
20
Five brief case studies providing basic survivor information. They all believe that they survived their abuse so that they could some day heal and assist others. They all speak in terms of light and darkness and of the choices they have made to embrace the light.
Thank you for reading to the end of this review. It’s too long, but worth it for my own record.
What I didn’t mention in the chapter summaries, but is also invaluable are the footnotes. Overflowing with more relevant information.
I’ve included many author names in their respective summaries. I recommend going to YouTube or any search engine, typing in the author’s name and adding “interview.” Lots more enriching material and insights to be found. Allison Miller is on YouTube as is Trish Fotheringham.
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