Faith abuse, which includes practices relating to a belief in spirit possession and witchcraft, is often a hidden crime which is under-reported but can have significant impact on children.
Child abuse linked to faith or belief is not confined to one faith, nationality or ethnic community. Examples have been recorded worldwide across various religions including Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.
Faith abuse is often considered as part of the group that comes under the umbrella term of harmful practices.
Child abuse linked to faith or belief can include a belief in concepts of:
Research has suggested that in communities where there is child abuse linked to faith or belief, sometimes there is:
Coupled with this, parents/carers/abusers are more likely to have the belief that what they are doing will save the child, the family or the wider community and therefore it is for the greater good.
Examples of abuse include the child being:
They may not be allowed near, or to share, a room with family members and/or be threatened with abandonment. They may also be persuaded that they are possessed. Appropriate medical care, supervision, education, good hygiene, nourishment, clothing or warmth may be withdrawn.
Children who have been singled out in this way can be particularly vulnerable to sexual abusers within the family, community or faith organisation that use the belief as a form of control/threat. Exorcisms/deliverances may include sexually abusive practices such as having to undress and be bathed in the presence of others. Child traffickers may use these beliefs to control children.
It should be noted that a child can be abused as a result of faith or belief without these factors being present and not all those who believe in witchcraft or spirit possession harm children.
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, carers other than their parents, in particular 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:
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 that 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, however, your primary focus remains the safety of the child.
An animation on Mardoche’s childhood in the UK where he was accused of being a witch by his aunt and uncle published by the National FGM Centre.
Mardoche gives advice to professionals about how to work with children who have been accused of witchcraft. This video follows the animation of Mardoche’s life in the UK, where he was accused of being a child of kindoki by his aunt and uncle.
Produced by the National FGM Centre
Leaflet issued by the National FGM Centre summarising the issue of child abuse linked to faith or belief.
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