Child Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief

Child abuse linked to faith or belief can include a belief in concepts of:

• witchcraft and spirit possession, demons or the devil acting through children or leading them astray (traditionally seen in some Christian beliefs);
• the evil eye or djinns (traditionally known in some Islamic faith contexts) and dakini (in the Hindu context);
• ritual or multi murders where the killing of children is believed to bring supernatural benefits, or the use of their body parts is believed to produce potent magical remedies;
• use of belief in magic or witchcraft to create fear in children to make them more compliant when they are being trafficked for domestic slavery or sexual exploitation. 

National FGM Centre

Children of all ages and gender can be vulnerable to this form of abuse, however, children may be singled out for being ‘different’. Children with behavioural issues and/or additional needs or disabilities may be seen as possessed, as may children who are gifted and talented. If a child has recurring ill-health or is the result of a difficult pregnancy, this may also lead to them being singled out. It may be decided that a particular child in the family is responsible for the misfortunes/difficulties within the family.

Children living with extended family or carers other than their parents, particularly those in private foster placements, can be at increased risk of abuse linked to faith or belief 

Children may or may not know what is happening, however, you may:

• hear children talking about being evil, having the devil beaten out of them, and/or using specific words, e.g., kindoki, djinn, juju or voodoo;
• see children’s behaviour change, for example becoming isolated, confused or withdrawn;
• see a child’s appearance change, often deteriorating e.g., losing weight, wearing dirty clothes;
• notice they start constantly wearing specific items such as unusual jewellery or ornaments to “protect them”;
• notice a change in their school attendance, or they suddenly go abroad for a long holiday;
• notice injuries such as bruises, cuts and burns, or historical injuries and scarring 

As with all safeguarding matters, you must do something. You cannot pass it off as being “part of their culture” or worry about disrespecting the family’s beliefs. If you have concerns, you must act and speak with your designated safeguarding lead.

While different faiths/beliefs/communities/families have different practices, the definitions of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and neglect still hold true.

It may be that you do not feel you have enough knowledge or experience of a particular family’s culture or practice, however, all you need to ask yourself is: is this harming or likely to harm the child? 

There is always a duty to keep the child safe, but when dealing with any allegation of child abuse linked to faith, belief, and/or cultural practices, agencies must also engage with individuals, families, and in some cases the wider communities, to challenge the belief that underlies the harm. You may have a role in this, but your primary focus remains the child’s safety.

Ensure children/young people know the risks – talk about these issues at an age-appropriate level in the same way we do about consent, other forms of harm and other issues.

Check children and young people have safe relationships – in their families, with their peers, and with staff. Create an environment where it’s okay to talk even about the most difficult things.

Know the signs and know what to do – use the checklists above, your safeguarding procedures and be confident in raising these issues as a possibility.

Take action – and keep taking action until you know children and young people are safe.