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?"

Case Study - Child ‘B’
Significant Findings
Diary entry 16 Nov 2003 in Lingala:
‘At ‘church’ witchcraft.’ a prophecy was given that Child B has
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

• Beating, Burning, Cutting, Stabbing,
Strangulation.
• Drowning
• Application of chilli or similar to eyes or genitals
• Feeding non-edible substances/Starvation
• Amputation

• 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

• A child labelled as evil/possessed is often isolated and then vulnerable to sexual abuse/sexual exploitation
• Rituals may include sexual acts

• 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

• 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

• Physical disability
• Autism
• Mental Health
• Speech Impediment
• Bed wetting
• Rebelliousness

• Indigenous Healer
• Faith Healer
• Privately Contracted Spiritualist
• Church pastor

• Kindoki
• Ndoki
• Evil Eye
• Dijinns
• Voodoo
• Obeah

• 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

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

This is not about persecuting people's beliefs, but about safeguarding children