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NW1 OHQ
£4.50
  

Editor's note: The Cleveland situation involved the diagnosis of sexual abuse in large numbers of children based on the anal dilatation reflex.  The children were removed from home but most were later returned when the courts decided that they had not been abused.  There was much publicity and an extensive governmental inquiry resulted.  The inquiry concluded that the difficulties arose from a lack of understanding and communication between the various agencies involved.  The anal dilatation method was discredited by other physicians.  However, there remains much controversy surrounding this event. (See the review of the official inquiry report in this journal, Vol. 1(3), p. 47.)
  

Description:

This is basically an accounting of the Cleveland, England scandal before the governmental inquiry was completed.  After a short introduction and chronology of events, there are sections on "Doctors and Prognosis," "Sex Crimes," and "State Power vs. Parent Power."  The final chapter is titled, "What is to be Done?" The police department of Cleveland refused to answer any of the author's questions, which places limits on the perspective of the book and the information it provides.
  

Discussion:

This is a disappointing book.  The author had a chance to clear up many unanswered questions about the Cleveland scandal but did not do the necessary investigating.  The book is confusing, lacks clarity, and shows little understanding of courts, police, prosecutors, evidence, and justice in Western society.  The author's feminist perspective is reflected throughout the book.  For example, she criticizes a fathers' rights group that formed in reaction to the situation and she describes male social workers as "wimps."  The impression one is left with is that the author attempts to justify the actions of the doctors and female social workers while denigrating the police and all men.

The book is not worth buying.

Reviewed by LeRoy Schultz, a professor of social work at 708 Allen Hall, Suite 710, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506.