Leaving Neverland

  • Nadia Wager

Press/Media: Expert Comment

Description

Articles and interviews by Nadia Wager in the wake of the "Leaving Neverland" TV show and the allegations of child sexual abuse involving Michael Jackson. 

The original article from "The Conversation" website focused on four issues raised in the documentary whilst not expressing any opinion in relation to the allegations. These were:  sex offenders aren't always monsters, parental grooming in order to get access to the child, the prevalence and reasons for non-disclosure in childhood (based on my research) and the issue to traumatic bonding which leads to a retience to report the abuse or to retract claims that have been made.

Period8 Mar 2019 → 14 Mar 2019

Media coverage

2

Media coverage

  • TitleMichael Jackson: expert weighs in on Leaving Neverland
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletTimesofmalta.com
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date11/03/19
    DescriptionThere are several common misconceptions about child sexual abuse which can make it hard to believe allegations when they are made. These include the belief that sexual abusers are monsters who are violent and frightening to children. We also tend to believe that parents would know if their child was being sexually abused or that children would tell someone immediately and that they would display fear towards the perpetrator. It’s also commonly – and often wrongly – thought that a child’s statements about experiences of abuse would remain consistent over time.
    URLhttps://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20190311/life-features/michael-jackson-expert-weighs-in-on-leaving-neverland.704191
    PersonsNadia Wager
  • TitleJackson accusations 'align with child abuse patterns'
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletNewstalk ZB
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date11/03/19
    Description"How would a child know what is wrong and right at that age? There are a lot of things we do to children as parents which they don't like. From making them eat Brussel Sprouts to not allowing them to have sweets before bed.

    "It may just be another thing for young children which they don't particularly like, but many of them wouldn't know what to say. "
    URLhttps://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/kerre-mcivor-mornings/audio/dr-nadia-wager-parents-encouraged-to-avoid-secrets-with-their-children/
    PersonsNadia Wager

Media contributions

6

Media contributions

  • TitleI'm a child sex abuse expert. Here's what I thought about "Leaving Neverland" and the Michael Jackson claims/opinion
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletnewsweek.com
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date14/03/19
    DescriptionHistorically, as a society we have actually found it very difficult to believe allegations or to acknowledge possible signs that child sexual abuse is occurring. Several theoretical explanations have been offered for this including our need to believe in a just world where this kind of thing isn’t done by adults to children. Just world beliefs encourage us to conform to the rules and regulations of our communities, since we believe that this will be rewarded with a safe and orderly existence for us and our families. So we find it difficult to comprehend that bad things happen to those who do not deserve it.
    URLhttps://www.newsweek.com/michael-jackson-leaving-neverland-child-sex-abuse-expert-1362397
    PersonsNadia Wager
  • TitleMornings, 11:27 and 11:35, BBC Radio Scotland
    Degree of recognitionRegional
    Media name/outletBBC Radio Scotland
    Media typeRadio
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date13/03/19
    DescriptionCommenting on 'Leaving Neverland' documentary. "The national inclination is to disbelieve even if it's not a celebrity. It's hard to get people to shift. People don't want to believe this is happening."
    PersonsNadia Wager
  • TitleLeaving Neverland: what a child sex abuse expert thought
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outlettheweek.co.uk
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date12/03/19
    DescriptionIt is quite natural to think of child molesters as monsters who intimidate and frighten the children they prey on. But while there are various types of offender, many are able to gain access to – and the trust of – children due to their ability to attract children to them and to emotionally and socially connect with them. Such offenders will gravitate towards children who are shy, withdrawn, lonely or rejected by peers. They work to create an emotional bond with the child through becoming their “best friend” and making the child feel “special”.
    URLhttps://www.theweek.co.uk/100143/leaving-neverland-what-a-child-sex-abuse-expert-thought
    PersonsNadia Wager
  • TitleLeaving Neverland
    Media name/outletNew Zealand Radio
    Media typeRadio
    Duration/Length/Size10 minutes
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date10/03/19
    DescriptionDiscussion of the grooming of parents and children's disclosure of child sexual abuse
    PersonsNadia Wager
  • TitleAs an expert in child sexual abuse, here’s my take on Michael Jackson's accusers in Leaving Neverland
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletIndependent
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date10/03/19
    DescriptionThere are several common misconceptions about child sexual abuse which can make it hard to believe allegations when they are made. These include the belief that sexual abusers are monsters who are violent and frightening to children. We also tend to believe that parents would know if their child was being sexually abused or that children would tell someone immediately and that they would display fear towards the perpetrator. It’s also commonly – and often wrongly – thought that a child’s statements about experiences of abuse would remain consistent over time.
    URLhttps://www.independent.co.uk/voices/michael-jackson-leaving-neverland-child-sex-abuse-survivors-psycology-a8816436.html
    PersonsNadia Wager
  • TitleMichael Jackson: as an expert in child sexual abuse here’s what I thought when I watched Leaving Neverland
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletThe Conversation
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date8/03/19
    URLhttps://theconversation.com/michael-jackson-as-an-expert-in-child-sexual-abuse-heres-what-i-thought-when-i-watched-leaving-neverland-113160
    PersonsNadia Wager