News From...Congressman Vito Fossella
PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 1999 |
Contact: Craig Donner (718) 987-8400
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FOSSELLA CRITICIZES MEDICAL ASSOCIATION FOR PUBLISHING STUDY THAT CLAIMS CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IS NOT HARMFUL
Fossella Says Publication Lends Credibility To Study
Staten Island, NY -- Congressman Vito Fossella (R-NY) today criticized a professional medical association for publishing a study that claims child sexual abuse is not harmful and should be judged on the "willingness" and age of the victims.
The study, conducted by a professor at Temple University and others, was published by the American Psychological Association (APA), The American Psychological Association (APA), in the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. Among its bizarre findings are that the long-term negative impact of sexual abuse is rare for men and present in only a minority of women.
"I am shocked and disgusted by this twisted attempt to justify pedophilia," Fossella said. "It is the height of irresponsibility for a professional medical association to publish a study that all but endorses child sexual abuse. It crosses the line into deviancy to suggest that an 8-year old and a 45-year old could have a consensual sexual relationship. That is sexual assault, and there is no way to justify it. The APA erred by publishing the study and has dropped the ball since by failing to disavow it. Unfortunately, by publishing the study, the APA has given it an air of credibility that must be horrifying to victims of sexual abuse. This entire episode represents a severe lapse in judgement on the part of the APA and a black mark that will not soon be erased. Maybe the APA needs to get into the real world and speak with victims of sexual assault."
Fossella expressed concern that the study could soon find its way into legal circles and, ultimately, the courts to defend pedophiles.
"I would not be surprised if we soon begin to hear lawyers citing this study in defense of criminals on trial for child sexual abuse," Fossella said. "Just the fact that the study was accepted by a known medical association and published in a journal that has been around for 106 years will give defense attorneys the so-called scientific findings to justify and defend pedophiles. The study will allow lawyers to claim that the sexual assault of an innocent child is actually a consensual act between willing partners with no long-term ramifications."
Fossella pointed to the quick response of the North American Man-Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) to highlight the findings on its web site, including its declaration that the study proves that "consensual intergenerational experiences of younger people are often quite positive and beneficial for the participants."
"It seems these days that it is fairly easy to find a group that will attempt to justify the most heinous and ghastly acts," Fossella said. "It didn't take long for NAMBLA the to embrace this study as a way to legitimize how they prey on young children. This is particularly disturbing in light of reports by the Child Advocacy Center that child sexual assault cases here are up this year. I can't begin to imagine what's next. An attempt to justify rape or domestic violence?"
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