The Australian Satanic Panic reached its peak, with widespread fear and hysteria over supposed Satanic ritual abuse and the influence of dark occult practices infiltrating Australian society. Fueled by sensational media reports and unsubstantiated claims, this moral panic sparked a wave of false accusations, leading to ruined lives and wrongful convictions.

The panic was heavily influenced by international cases, such as the Satanic Ritual Abuse scare in the U.S., and the rise of books and documentaries that warned of secret Satanic cults lurking within communities. In Australia, police investigations, fueled by these sensationalized fears, resulted in cases like the "Satanic abuse" panic in Melbourne, where several individuals were accused, often with little evidence. The damage was done, however, as fear and distrust towards particular groups, including fringe religious communities and alternative subcultures, spread rapidly.

The Australian Satanic Panic left a lasting impact, raising questions about the role of media in shaping public perception and the dangers of moral panics that rely on sensationalism rather than facts. It’s a dark chapter in Australian social history, one that serves as a reminder of how hysteria can distort reality and ruin lives.

Join Holly and Matthew as they examine the cases that made Australian's panic what it is today.



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