CALFB Resources

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Resources and Guidance

 

Below, you can find a selection of resources that can be used in to learn more about child abuse linked to faith or belief, the safeguarding procedures and research in the area. Click the + next to the title to see more.

Safeguarding

Smiling Teenage Mixed Race Boy

Identifying Risk

London Safeguarding Children Board have developed this page that explores CALFB, the reasons why it happens, risk indicators and what to do if you are worried.

Tackling Abuse

The belief in witchcraft has in recent years led to some horrific cases of child abuse and child-killing. Justin Bahunga reports on measures to tackle this growing problem.

Information Leaflet

In this leaflet you will find further information about child abuse linked to faith or belief, risk indicators and information on what to do if you are worried.

Previous Cases

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Victoria Climbie

During police interviews, Victoria Climbie’s careers reported that they felt Victoria was possessed.

Ayesha Ali

Ayesha’s killers believed that she was “evil” and had “bad blood”, and repeatedly disciplined the child.

In a recorded phone conversation with a friend the month before the killing,  Ayesha was described by her mothers partner as a “pure evil” and a “witch” and she threatened to drown her in the bath.

Eunice Spry

Spry, a Jehovah’s Witness and a pillar of her local community, would punish the children because she thought they were possessed by the devil. Once she kept two of them imprisoned, naked and starving, in a room for a month.

SCR Learnings

Summary of risk factors and learning for improved practice around culture and faith.

Research

Resources

Prevalence

This report concerns the frequency and severity of child abuse linked to accusations of “possession” and “witchcraft”. It identifies key features common to these cases, draws conclusions and makes recommendations.

Knowledge Exploration

This groundbreaking new research investigates current knowledge and raises awareness of child abuse linked to faith or belief. Internationally, cases of child abuse linked to faith or belief (CALFB) continue to cause concern (Bartholomew, 2015; Hansen & Ruggiero, 2013).

Key Learnings

The learning from these reviews highlights that professionals need to take into account families’ cultural and religious context when undertaking assessments and offering support. The rights and needs of the child need to remain the focus of interventions at all times, regardless of this context.

Survivors Story

 

In this animation, we follow the story of Mardoche Yembi who was accused of being a witch shortly after he moved to London. The animation explores what led up to the accusation, the impact it had on Mardoche’s mental health and the actions professionals took to protect him.

Advice for professionals, from a survivor

 

In this video, Mardoche Yembi gives advice to professionals working with a child who has been accused of witchcraft or possession.  We recommend you watch the above video first to see Mardoche’s story.

Religious Context

 

In this series of videos, faith leaders explore what possession, demons, spirits and witchcraft mean in their religion. Each video contains advice on how to work with families who believe their child is possessed or evil. 

Judaism

Buddhism

Islam

Christianity

Hinduism

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Sikhism

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