The Satanic Panic: A Deep Dive into America's Biggest Child Abuse Scandal

In this episode of the Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating and Intriguing Things, we dive deep into the unsettling era known as the Satanic Panic of the 1980s. This chilling chapter in history was marked by mass hysteria, false accusations, and a media frenzy that captivated the nation.

We'll unravel the infamous McMartin preschool case, offering insights into how such groundless accusations could gain such traction. What societal conditions paved the way for the emergence of the Satanic Panic? How did the aftermath shape our understanding of justice and media influence? Join us as we navigate the twists and turns of one of the most expensive and prolonged criminal cases in U.S. history.

Resources and Further Reading

1. "Satan's Silence: Ritual Abuse and the Making of a Modern American Witch Hunt" by Debbie Nathan and Michael Snedeker.
2. "We Believe the Children: A Moral Panic in the 1980s" by Richard Beck.
3. "McMartin preschool trial" - Wikipedia page
4. "The Witch-Hunt Narrative: Politics, Psychology, and the Sexual Abuse of Children" by Ross E. Cheit.
5. "Michelle Remembers" by Michelle Smith & Lawrence Pazder MD

Host & Show Info

• Hosts: Kyle Risi & Adam Cox
• Intro Music: Alice in dark Wonderland

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