Police have reported a significant rise in witchcraft related child abuse, in which the belief that a child is possessed leads to them being physically and mentally abused.
An event led by the Metropolitan Police Service and the Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) took place on Wednesday 8th October to raise awareness of the issue and to look at ways to tackle it.
A training film for professionals who work with children was provided by the Met’s Project Violet, and gives advice on how to recognise the signs that a child is suffering or is at risk of being a victim of abuse linked to witchcraft and spirit possession.
Over the past year, the Met Police has received 27 allegations of this type of abuse including two cases of rape. Other cases, one of which involved a child being swung around and smacked in the head in order to “drive out the devil”, another where a child was dunked under water, have been reported.
Other children are said to have been removed from school and taken out of the country in order to be exorcised, while it is believed that some may also have been forced to drink toxic substances to rid them of evil spirits.
Kevani Kanda, a survivor of ritual abuse and presenter of the BBC Three documentary, ‘Branded a Witch’, stated: “As a survivor of ritual abuse I have witnessed at first hand the harm which belief-related abuse can result in. Globalisation means that paranoia over witchcraft and spirit possession is no longer confined to developing nations. Mass migration has made this a pervasive problem worldwide. It is not confined to cities or areas where there are large migrant communities. Belief-related abuse can result in significant physical, emotional harm, neglect, sexual abuse and even death.”
As well as abuse, several child killings have occurred as a result of these beliefs.
In 2010, 15 year old Kristy Bamu was tortured and drowned by his sister and her boyfriend in a horrific murder. The pair believed that he was possessed by evil spirits and was trying to harm another member of the family.
8 year old Victoria Climbié was beaten burned and forced to sleep in a bin bag by her great aunt and her boyfriend who said that she too, was possessed. They were found guilty of her murder in 2001.
Police have described such abuse cases as ‘hidden crimes’ which for the most part go unreported.
“Abuse linked to belief is a horrific crime which is condemned by people of all cultures, communities and faiths,” Detective Superintendent Terry Sharpe, from the Met’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said. “A number of high-profile investigations brought the issue of ritual abuse and witchcraft into the headlines but it is important that professionals are clear about the signs to look for.
“Families or carers genuinely believe that the victim has been completely taken over by the devil or an evil spirit, which is often supported by someone who within the community has portrayed themselves as an authority on faith and belief. Often in the perpetrators minds, any abuse is not going to affect the victim because he or she believes the child is effectively not there anymore and the abuse is directed at whatever has possessed the child. The victim is often convinced that this is the truth and that the abuse is ‘normal’ behaviour.
“Regardless of the beliefs of the abusers, child abuse is child abuse. Our role is to safeguard children, not challenge beliefs. We investigate crimes against children, but our main aim is to prevent abuse in the first place. This is a hidden crime and we can only prevent it by working in partnership with the community. Project Violet aims to build trust with communities and emphasise that child protection is everyone’s responsibility.”
CPPAS has stated that they are working with churches as well as other religious organisations to address the problem. As a result they have “already received 27 referrals of this type this year”.
“We are pleased that the MPS has undertaken such great work in this area, but we are convinced that this form of abuse is hidden, and that the statutory agencies across the UK are facing similar situations – which is why we are so pleased that this new DVD is set to be a major new weapon in the ongoing fight to eradicate this type of abuse,” Simon Bass, CEO of CCPAS, said. “This is because it will not only educate both front line practitioners and churches better but it will also emphasise that the only effective way to tackle it is by working together, as per the National Action Plan.”
