Children's Institute International
Encyclopedia
Children's Institute International (CII) is an anti-child–abuse organization in Los Angeles
that was started in 1950 as "The Colleagues" to raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters
. The organization played a role in the McMartin preschool trial
, interviewing children suspected of being abused using methods that were at the time completely new, and proved to be controversial.
moral panic. Before the trial, CII investigated primarily physical abuse
, with a small section that conducted infrequent medical examinations and interviews with children involved in child sexual abuse
allegations. Kee MacFarlane
, an employee at the center, had the idea to use hand puppet
s and anatomically correct doll
s during interviews with children, believing they would aid disclosure and therapeutic recovery. The initial interviews were taped, and later the sections of the tape in which the children actually made disclosures were shown to parents to convince them their children had been abused. The agency ultimately interviewed more than 350 children who were involved in the trial, using techniques that, when tested, were found to be superior to simple suggestion in causing children to make false allegations. CII also received $350,000 in state funding in 1985, becoming the first publicly-funded training center for the diagnosis and treatment of child abuse. Kee MacFarlane was criticized for her relationship with Wayne Satz
, the KABC-TV
reporter who first disclosed the accusations against the McMartins.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
that was started in 1950 as "The Colleagues" to raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a 501 non-profit organization whose mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that try to have a measurable impact on youth....
. The organization played a role in the McMartin preschool trial
McMartin preschool trial
The McMartin preschool trial was a day care sexual abuse case of the 1980s. Members of the McMartin family, who operated a preschool in California, were charged with numerous acts of sexual abuse of children in their care. Accusations were made in 1983. Arrests and the pretrial investigation ran...
, interviewing children suspected of being abused using methods that were at the time completely new, and proved to be controversial.
McMartin preschool trial
CII played a major role in the McMartin preschool trial, one of the first and certainly largest criminal trial that was part of the day care sex abuse hysteria and satanic ritual abuseSatanic ritual abuse
Satanic ritual abuse refers to the abuse of a person or animal in a ritual setting or manner...
moral panic. Before the trial, CII investigated primarily physical abuse
Physical abuse
Physical abuse is abuse involving contact intended to cause feelings of intimidation, injury, or other physical suffering or bodily harm.-Forms of physical abuse:*Striking*Punching*Belting*Pushing, pulling*Slapping*Whipping*Striking with an object...
, with a small section that conducted infrequent medical examinations and interviews with children involved in child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities , indecent exposure with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to...
allegations. Kee MacFarlane
Kee MacFarlane
Kathleen 'Kee' MacFarlane was the Director of Children's Institute International. She developed the concept of the anatomically correct doll for children to use during interviews concerning abuse and played a significant role in the McMartin preschool trial.-Professional training:She received a...
, an employee at the center, had the idea to use hand puppet
Hand puppet
A hand puppet is a type of puppet that is controlled by the leg or face that occupies the interior of the puppet. Glove puppets are a variation of hand puppets...
s and anatomically correct doll
Anatomically correct doll
An anatomically correct doll or anatomically precise doll is a doll with some of the primary and secondary sex characteristics of a human. In colloquial vernacular it usually refers to the genitals being depicted. This can be for realism or educational purposes, as well as to satisfy inanimate...
s during interviews with children, believing they would aid disclosure and therapeutic recovery. The initial interviews were taped, and later the sections of the tape in which the children actually made disclosures were shown to parents to convince them their children had been abused. The agency ultimately interviewed more than 350 children who were involved in the trial, using techniques that, when tested, were found to be superior to simple suggestion in causing children to make false allegations. CII also received $350,000 in state funding in 1985, becoming the first publicly-funded training center for the diagnosis and treatment of child abuse. Kee MacFarlane was criticized for her relationship with Wayne Satz
Wayne Satz
Wayne Thomas Satz was a reporter who first reported on the McMartin preschool trial. His first McMartin broadcast aired on KABC-TV in Los Angeles on February 2, 1984.-External links:...
, the KABC-TV
KABC-TV
KABC-TV, channel 7, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, licensed to Los Angeles, California. KABC-TV's studios are located in Glendale, California...
reporter who first disclosed the accusations against the McMartins.