Transcript Female genital Mutilation

Child Abuse - Witchcraft and
Spirit Possession
Local Authority Designated Officer/Training and
Community Partnership Officer: Aqualma Murray
Detective Sergeant: Vicky Washington
Detective Constable: Ben Voss
A child is likely to suffer a degree of neglect
and/or physical, sexual and emotional abuse
as a direct result of
the actions and beliefs of the adults and others
who perceive them as possessed with evil
2000
Anna/Victoria Climbié
‘You could beat her and she
would not cry……she could take
the beatings and the pain like
anything.’
Victoria’s Carer
2001
Adam/Ikpo Mwosa
The headless, limbless
body of a boy aged
between five and six was
found floating in the river
Thames
2008
Khyra Ishaq
‘Khyra dropped down as she
walked after a spirit got into
her body, it was evil and it was
trying to control her body
because Khyra had accepted it
as a friend’
Sibling
CASE STUDY
Child B 2003
"She pulled out a little knife and she
did little marks on me. I was bleeding.
The three of them surrounded me and
one kicked me, one slapped me and one
pushed me.
I asked myself, what have I done?"
43 Injuries
Case Study - Child ‘B’
Significant Findings
Diary entry 16 Nov 2003 in Lingala:
‘At ‘church’ a prophecy was given that Child B has
witchcraft.’
DNA showed that none of defendants were the mother
although 3 were maternal relations.
Expert witness in 'witchcraft' provides evidence
Churches that Child B attended were identified but no
evidence to prosecute.
Case Study - Child ‘B’
Outcomes
TRIAL June 2005
3 defendants guilty of Child Cruelty
2 main defendants received maximum sentence (10yrs)
National Guidelines published in consultation with
Project Violet
Partnership Team formed
Common Features
Physical Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Neglect
Physical Abuse
• Beating, Burning, Cutting, Stabbing,
Strangulation.
• Drowning
• Application of chilli or similar to eyes or
genitals
• Feeding non-edible substances/Starvation
• Amputation
Emotional Abuse?
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Locked away from others
Child being prayed over for long periods
Exorcism or Deliverance
Sleep deprivation
Threat of Abandonment
Separated from family
Persuading child they are possessed
Sexual Abuse
• A child labelled as evil/possessed is often
isolated and then vulnerable to sexual
abuse/sexual exploitation
• Rituals may include sexual acts
Neglect
• Failure to obtain appropriate medical care
• Failure to ensure appropriate
schooling/education
• Failure to provide a suitable home
environment
• Failure to meet the child’s hygiene needs
How become evil/possessed?
• Infected by others who are evil
• Infected by eating contaminated food
• Become possessed by evil spirits that have
flow round them
• By displaying negative behaviour they attract
evil
• A perceived difference to their family or
community
Difference to Family/Community
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Physical disability
Autism
Mental Health
Speech Impediment
Bed wetting
Rebelliousness
Who provides the belief ?
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Indigenous Healer
Faith Healer
Privately Contracted Spiritualist
Church pastor
Terminology
• Kindoki
• Ndoki
• Evil Eye
• Dijinns
• Voodoo
• Obeah
Indicators
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Injuries
Change in child’s behaviour
Change in child’s appearance
Childs carers show a lack of affection, bond or
interest
• Language used by child in disclosures i.e devil
beaten out of them
Strands of Investigation
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Immediate Family
School – Childs attendance and behaviour
Health – Injuries and Illnesses
Police – Victim, Informant or suspect.
Neighbours – unusual behaviour or patterns
Place of Worship and denomination
Immigration – movements of the child
Interpreter? Independent and outside family network
Other family members?
AIMS
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Develop prevention opportunities for children
abused through a belief in spirit possession.
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Raise awareness within practicing communities and
statutory agencies.
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Develop intelligence opportunities
Remember
This is not about persecuting people's beliefs,
but about safeguarding children