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Child Abuse linked to a belief in Witchcraft and Spirit Possession

Child Abuse linked to a belief in Witchcraft and Spirit Possession. Detective Sergeant Vicky Washington Partnership Team. 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.

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Child Abuse linked to a belief in Witchcraft and Spirit Possession

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  1. Child Abuse linked to a belief in Witchcraft and Spirit Possession Detective Sergeant Vicky Washington Partnership Team

  2. 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

  3. 2001 Adam/Ikpo Mwosa The headless, limbless body of a boy aged between five and six was found floating in the river Thames

  4. 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

  5. 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?"

  6. Stab Wound Bruises 43 Injuries All Historical? Scarring

  7. 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.

  8. Case Study - Child ‘B’ Outcomes • June 2005 – Full trial and guilty verdicts for 3 defendants of Child Cruelty. Maximum sentence, 10 yrs, imposed for 2 main defendants. • 1st Paediatrician explained that: • ‘the examination room was poorly lit with no natural light’. • National Guidelines published in consultation with Project Violet. • Partnership Team formed

  9. Shared Experiences: Separated Isolated Starved Scapegoated Harmed Traumatised

  10. Project Violet ‘Children abused through a belief in spirit possession’

  11. AIMS • Develop prevention opportunities for children abused through a belief in spirit possession. • Raise awareness within practicing communities and statutory agencies. • Develop intelligence opportunities

  12. Project Violet Board • Made up of specialist child abuse detectives, Crown Prosecution Service, community members, AFRUCA, The Churches Child Protection Advisory Serivce, London Safeguarding Board and the Victoria Climbie Foundation • Will sit on a quarterly basis

  13. Five Strand Framework • Jointly agreed 'Terms of Reference & action plan • Clear engagement and activity strategies – faith communities • Clear engagement and activity strategies – wider community groups • Development of new practitioner guidance • Ensure Project Violet partnership is linked into wider regional debates

  14. Challenges… • Hidden Crime – Difficult to Measure • Identification of cases – Use of Flags • Advice, Guidance & Support for cases • CP Concerns at Places of Worship • Work in partnership (CCPAS, LSCB’s, NGO, etc) • Training and Awareness Raising • National & International liaison

  15. Remember… This is not about persecuting people's beliefs, but about safeguarding children Contact Project Violet Telephone 0207 161 3822

  16. Thank you for listening… Any questions?

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