Yes, it sounds hard to believe that in our days people believe into witchcraft , but that is the sad reality. Recognising such abuse and addressing the link between child abuse, witchcraft, and faith requires a multifaceted approach that involves education, community engagement, legal reform, and support for victims and their families. This includes efforts to challenge harmful beliefs and practices, promote child rights and protection, provide trauma-informed care for survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Please be warned, this might be highly disturbing to read:
These are some of the beliefs:
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 muti 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.
The link between child abuse, witchcraft, and faith is a complex and deeply troubling issue that has garnered attention from researchers, psychologists, social workers, and religious leaders. While these topics may seem disparate at first glance, there are instances where they intersect, often in harmful and damaging ways.
Children in general are vulnerable, and certain groups may be at higher risk of experiencing abuse due to various factors.
1. Children with disabilities: Children with disabilities may be targeted for abuse due to their perceived vulnerability, dependence on caregivers, or societal stigma associated with their condition. This vulnerability can be exacerbated if caregivers lack appropriate support or understanding of the child's needs.
2. Albinos: In some cultures, there are superstitions or beliefs surrounding albinism, leading to discrimination, ostracism, and even violence against albino children who are perceived as different or possessing magical powers.
3. Children living away from home: Children in private fostering situations or domestic servitude may lack oversight and protection, making them more susceptible to exploitation and abuse by caregivers or employers.
4. Children in step-parent households: Research suggests that children living in blended families, particularly those with a step-parent, may be at increased risk of abuse compared to children in nuclear families, due to factors such as disrupted family dynamics, jealousy, or resentment.
5. Children of parents branded as witches: As mentioned earlier, children in communities where belief in witchcraft is prevalent may face discrimination and abuse if their parents are accused of witchcraft. This can result in ostracism, violence, or abandonment of the child.
6. Children with challenging behaviour or precocious children: Children who exhibit challenging behaviour or who deviate from societal norms may be more likely to experience abuse as caregivers may struggle to cope with their needs or may resort to harsh disciplinary measures.
7. Children living in complex family structures: Children in polygamous or reconstituted families may face unique challenges related to family dynamics, competing loyalties, and resource allocation, which can increase their vulnerability to abuse or neglect.
8. LGBTQ children, like any other group, can be vulnerable to various forms of exploitation and abuse, including accusations of involvement in witchcraft. While the connection between LGBTQ+ identity and accusations of witchcraft may not be direct in all cases, there are contexts where LGBTQ+ individuals, including children, face discrimination, persecution, and violence based on cultural or religious beliefs.
In some communities where belief in witchcraft is prevalent, LGBTQ+ individuals may be stigmatised, rejected, or scapegoated due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. This stigma can manifest in various ways, including accusations of possessing supernatural powers or being "unnatural" or "evil." Such accusations can lead to ostracism, physical violence, or even legal persecution in extreme cases.
It's important for society to recognise these vulnerabilities and implement measures to protect and support these children. This includes providing access to education, healthcare, social services, and legal protections, as well as promoting awareness and understanding of the unique needs and rights of these vulnerable groups.
What contributes to such beliefs?
1. Cultural Beliefs and Practices: In some cultures, particularly in parts of Africa, Asia, and even within diaspora communities in Western countries, beliefs in witchcraft and spiritual forces are deeply ingrained. These beliefs can lead to the scapegoating of children as witches or possessed by evil spirits. Children who are deemed to be "witches" may face severe abuse, including physical violence, abandonment, or even murder, as families and communities seek to exorcise the perceived evil.
2. Religious Extremism: Certain extremist interpretations of religious texts or beliefs can contribute to the mistreatment of children. In some cases, individuals or groups may use religious teachings to justify abusive practices, such as exorcisms or harsh disciplinary measures, under the guise of cleansing the child of supposed demonic influence.
3. Family Dynamics and Dysfunction: Child abuse within religious or spiritual contexts can also stem from family dynamics and dysfunction. Parents or caregivers may use religious teachings or rituals as a means of control or punishment, leading to emotional, physical, or sexual abuse of children.
4. Lack of Education and Awareness: In communities where belief in witchcraft or spiritual possession is prevalent, there may be a lack of education and awareness about child rights and welfare. This can perpetuate harmful practices, as individuals may not recognise the impact of their actions on children or may feel powerless to challenge entrenched cultural beliefs.
5. Social and Economic Factors: Poverty, conflict, and displacement can exacerbate vulnerabilities for children, increasing the likelihood of abuse and exploitation. In some cases, children may be accused of witchcraft as a result of family stressors or economic hardships, further compounding their marginalization and suffering.
Useful links:
The National Action Plan: Child abuse linked to faith or belief: national action plan
Barnados: Child Abuse Linked to Fatih or Belief (CALFB)
Metropolitan Police: https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse/faith-based-abuse
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