False memory is a weapon often used to discredit sexual assault survivors Psychologists say survivors do not 'forget' their horrific experiences. They may try to not remember, but completely forgetting is extremely unlikely. (Image: Fernanda Latronico/Pexels) Memory is contentious, that much is clear. Those who have experienced trauma often have patchy memories: dissociation is common, as is freezing and becoming immobile. But the idea that someone can simply forget then remember an instance of abuse, having previously remembered nothing, is not one supported by professionals, and has not been a common claim for decades. Yet false memory syndrome has been used to discredit survivors time and again in recent years. Lawyers for Michael Jackson, Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein have all called in experts on false memory to give expert testimony at their trials.