Of all the controversies surrounding this Issue, the actual extent of ritualistic abuse is perhaps the most heatedly debated. On the one hand are advocates of the national conspiracy theory who contend members of an organized network which Is possibly national in character, regularly commit kidnappings, rape and ritual sacrifices (especially of children) In the name of Satan. On the other hand are supporters of the national hysteria theory who argue that because many people need to believe a Satanic conspiracy poses a real threat to America, they pass on unsubstantiated and undocumented Information about alleged Satanists in the hope of saving the nation.

Hypothesis: Ritualistic abuse is a widespread problem which may even involve a national conspiracy.

Advocates believe ritualistic abuse, especially committed against children is, at the very least, a common occurrence in communities across the nation and, at the very worst, a national conspiracy of epidemic proportions. During a professional meeting in the mid-1980s, the conspiracy theory gained credence when Dr. AI Carlisle of the Utah State Prison system estimated between 50,000 and 60,000 human sacrifices were committed annually in the United States.

Proponents believe such crimes continue to occur because Satanists are often well-respected politicians, doctors, attorneys, priests, ministers, daycare providers and law enforcers who hide their heretical and criminal deeds behind a facade of professional respectability. Among the most heinous crimes they cite are rituals in which infants or small children are sacrificed, and cannibalistic, sexual and psychological rituals in which children are forced to participate. Proponents say physical evidence of such crimes are absent because the Satanists eat much of the flesh and have access to advanced disposal methods. The experiences related by adult and child victims provide enough evidence of ritualistic abuse to validate its widespread and conspiratorial dimensions.

Adult and child survivors of ritualistic abuse and many members of the law enforcement, therapeutic and/or Fundamentalist Christian communities support this viewpoint. For example:

Dr. Bennett Braun has personally worked with over 70 adults in 22 states with Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) and has conducted two recent studies on data collected from 40 states. He estimates that of the approximate 200,000 Americans who suffer from MPD, up to one-fourth, or 50,000, could be victims of Satanic Ritual Abuse. (Braun and Sachs, 1988.)

Psychiatrist Roland Summit, whose subspecialty is child sexual abuse, calls ritual abuse of children "the most serious threat to children and to society that we must face in our lifetime." Dr. Summit's experiences point to "no less than 1,000 children who have stated their involvement in ritualistic systems." (Summit, October 26, 1988.)

Dr. Lawrence Pazder, psychiatrist, describes the motives and pervasiveness of ritualized abusers who are "normal-looking and carry on normal lives.

They are members of every strata of society which they have carefully infiltrated. Any position of societal power or influence should be seen as a target for infiltration. The perpetrators have masses of money available. Many have impeccable credentials - doctors, ministers, professionals of every kind. " (Pazder, 1980.)

Mike Warnke, [fake] reformed Satanist and Director of Warnke Ministries, says "Satanists have infiltrated the system - government, law enforcement, the courts - and are responsible for creating and nourishing a nationwide and international network." (Warnke, as quoted in the videotape America's Best Kept Secret, 1986.)

Jaimee Karroll, author of an anthology of survivor experiences, helped conduct a survey of ritual abuse survivors in Canada and the U.S. By late 1988, the sponsoring agency, Healing Hearts, had received 85 responses from survivors. Additionally, throughout 1988 while working on the book, 108 survivors and 303 professionals contacted the agency, since 1988, she estimates that 10 professionals and 2-4 survivors continue to contact her each month. (Karroll, 1988.)

Survivor Joan Christianson has related her experiences to groups across the country. She "averages about 140 phone calls a month mostly from survivors. That means that in one year, I have received 1,680 phone calls and in the seven years that I have been doing this I have gotten 10,760 phone calls." (Christianson, 1988.)