What FMSF actually did:

✓ + Internally distributed an instructional packet on lobbying to FMSF members

Ohme’s Packet:
Herman Ohme, a behind-the-scenes activist involved with the False Memory Syndrome Foundation, produced and distributed an instructional packet to FMSF state chapters called “Lobbying Made Easy.” [2] It was designed to help other FMSF chapters lobby for legislation restricting psychotherapy practices in their states. The packet’s self description states that it contains “easy to understand and follow instructions on most effective methods to lobby local, state, and federal government to have laws changed or enacted.” [2] The packet included a timetable of events, sample letters, and key legislators to target. It was originally designed for the Texas branch of the FMSF, but was used “very effectively” in Illinois and adapted for many other branches of the FMSF. [2] Ohme presented on such lobbying efforts at multiple FMSF conferences to involve other FMSF state chapters in legislation reform. [3].

Ohme stated that “we want to keep [our FMS bill] as quiet as possible, so we do not get the opposition out in force.” Furthermore, Ohme writes that “the great thing about our arrangement is we get to stack the witnesses, because we get to name who will be testifying.” [1]

You can read more about the FMSF’s lobbying efforts in detail on our [Lobbying Page]

✓ + Created a secondary lobbying organization headed by FMSF staff members to introduce legislation

National Association for Consumer Protection Against Mental Health Practices:
The National Association for Consumer Protection Against Mental Health Practices (NACPMHP) was founded by Herman Ohme, Bob Kocielny, and Chris Barden in 1994. While this organization goes by another name, it is the head of FMSF lobbying efforts and it’s associated with the FMSF in the following ways:
Members of the FMSF founded the NACPMHP [4]
The NACPMHP was formed in a meeting of FMSF members “before the Illinois State FMS conference.” [4]
The address listed for the NACPMHP was shared with the Illinois state FMS organization [5]
The NACPMHP “enlisted and organized FMS leaders from each state that wanted to change state and federal laws against the practice of any unsafe or unproven therapy” as members of the NACPMHP. [4]
38 state FMSF organizations were lobbying “under the banner of the national organization,” the NACPMHP [4]
In personal correspondence, Ohme states the NACPHMP was founded because “Other FMSF state groups requested my help organizing their membership to introduce RMT legislation in their state… I couldn’t handle them all from my small home/office.” [3]

The NACPMHP introduced the final version of the The Truth and Responsibility in Mental Health Practices Act (TRMP Act). Hinnefeld & Newman describe the TRMP act as “poorly conceived and would impose significant and unnecessary burdens on the state regulatory and judicial systems. These proposals attempt to restrict the decisions of patients and therapists and impose onerous consent and reimbursement requirements that are costly, confusing, and unduly limiting.” [6]

You can read more about the FMSF’s lobbying efforts and the details of the TRMP act on our [Lobbying Page]

✓ + Campaigned against multiple laws protecting victims of childhood abuse

Legislation the FMSF campaigned against included:
The Child Abuse Accountability Act, which allows those who successfully sue their parents for sexual abuse to receive compensation from the defendent’s pension. This is legislation completely unrelated to recovered memories. [7]
Child Abuse Protection and Treatment Act (CAPTA), which authorized demonstration grants and provided funding for child protective service systems and foster care. [4]
Raising the Statute of Limitations to bring charges of sexual abuse: This referrs to the fixed period of time in which legal charges can be brought after an alleged crime has occurred. Raising the statute of limitations would allow survivors – with continuous or recovered memories – pursue justice for abuse that occurred years before. Pamela Freyd herself spoke against raising the statute of limitations for sexual abuse. [8]

You can read more about the FMSF’s lobbying efforts in detail on our [Lobbying Page]