Physical abuse is when someone hurts a child or young person on purpose.

Examples of physical abuse are:

• hitting, slapping, shaking or throwing
• burning or scalding
• drowning, suffocating or choking
• pushing or kicking
• inappropriate restraint or false imprisonment
• using physical force to discipline
• misusing medication
• fabricating or inducing an illness or ill health

Signs and symptoms of physical abuse in children can include:

• unexplained recurrent injuries, marks or burns
• covering injuries with clothing even in hot weather
• fear of physical contact and shrinking back if touched

The above are just a few examples.

Sexual abuse is when a child is enticed or forced to take part in sexual activities. This kind of abuse does not always involve a high level of violence and the child may or may not be aware of what is happening.

The abuse may be committed by adult men and women, or by other children. 

Examples of sexual abuse are:

• causing or inciting a child to watch or engage in sexual activities
• encouraging a child to behave in sexually inappropriate ways
• involving a child in looking at sexual images or videos
• involving a child in the production of sexual images or videos
• grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet)

Signs and symptoms of sexual abuse in children can include:

• extreme reactions such as depression, self-mutilation, suicide attempts, running away, overdoses or anorexia
• personality changes such as becoming insecure or clinging
• being isolated or withdrawn
• medical problems such as chronic itching, pain in the genitals or venereal diseases

The above are just a few examples. Another form of sexual abuse is child sexual exploitation.

Emotional abuse happens in many different ways.  It can affect how a young person or child feels about themselves, or how they fit in with friends, at school, or where they live.

Examples of emotional abuse are:

• being made to feel inadequate, worthless or unloved
• being unfairly blamed
• being bullied, including over the internet (cyber-bullying)
• being made to feel frightened or in danger
• witnessing the abuse of others such as domestic abuse

Signs and symptoms of emotional abuse in children can include:

• reduced physical, mental and emotional development
• continual self-depreciation, eg 'I'm stupid’, ‘I’m ugly’, ‘I’m worthless’
• inappropriate response to pain, eg 'I deserve this'
• neurotic behaviour, eg rocking, hair twisting or self-mutilation

The above are just a few examples.

Neglect is when a child or young person’s basic needs are persistently not being met by their parent or guardian.

These basic needs include:

• adequate food, clothing and shelter
• protection from physical and emotional harm or danger
• adequate supervision (including not being left at home alone)
• access to appropriate medical care including dental treatment

Signs and symptoms of neglect in children can include:

• constant hunger or tiredness
• poor personal hygiene
• poor condition and cleanliness of clothing
• untreated medical problems
• no social relationships

The above are just a few examples. 

If you suspect a child is suffering from abuse, even if you’re not sure, please tell someone. Find out the different ways you can get in touch on our How to report possible child abuse page.

Abuse linked to faith or belief is where concerns for a child’s welfare have been identified, and could be caused by, a belief in witchcraft, spirit or demonic possession, ritual or satanic abuse features; or when practices linked to faith or belief are harmful to a child.

Any abuse that takes place against those who are branded (or labelled) either as a witch or as having been possessed by an evil spirit is unacceptable. Significant harm (including murder) can occur because of concerted efforts to ‘excise’ or ‘deliver’ evil from a child (or vulnerable adult).

From our own experience and in consultation with communities, we know this kind of abuse is under-reported.

Spotting the signs that this abuse exists can prevent escalation from ‘subtle’ harms that may often go unnoticed by many, to ‘extreme’ situations where there is loss of life. Witchcraft beliefs are used to blame a person (rather than circumstances) for misfortune that happens in life.

It can take place for some of the following reasons

• abuse as a result of a child being accused of being a ‘witch’
• abuse as a result of a child being accused of being possessed by ‘evil spirits’
• ritualistic abuse which is prolonged sexual, physical and psychological abuse
• satanic abuse which is carried out in the name of ‘satan’ and may have links to cults
• any other harmful practice linked to a belief or faith

The forms of abuse that can occur fall into the four main categories below.

Physical abuse

This can involve ritualistic beating, burning, cutting, stabbing, semi-strangulating, tying up the child, or rubbing chilli peppers or other substances on the child's genitals or eyes.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse can occur in the form of isolation. A child may not be allowed near or to share a room with family members, and threatened with abandonment. The child may also be convinced that they are possessed.

Neglect

In situations of neglect, the child’s family and community may have failed to ensure appropriate medical care, supervision, education, good hygiene, nourishment, clothing or warmth.

Sexual abuse

Children who have been singled out in this way can be particularly vulnerable to sexual abusers within the family, community or faith organisation. These people exploit the belief as a form of control or threat.

Where does it happen?

Child abuse linked to faith or belief is not confined to one faith, nationality or ethnic community. Examples have been recorded worldwide across various religions including Christians, Muslims and Hindus.

The number of known cases suggests that only a small minority of people who believe in witchcraft or spirit possession go on to abuse children and adults.

Abuse may happen anywhere, but it most commonly occurs within the child’s home.

Common factors and causes

A range of factors can contribute to the abuse of a child for reasons of faith or belief. Some of the most common ones are below.

Belief in evil spirits

Belief in evil spirits that can ‘possess’ children is often accompanied by a belief that a possessed child can ‘infect’ others with the condition. This could be through contact with shared food, or simply being in the presence of the child.

Scapegoating

A child could be singled out as the cause of misfortune within the home, such as financial difficulties, divorce, infidelity, illness or death.

Bad behaviour

Sometimes bad or abnormal behaviour is attributed to spiritual forces. Examples include a child being disobedient, rebellious, overly independent, wetting the bed, having nightmares or falling ill.

Physical and emotional differences

A child could be singled out for having a physical difference or disability. Documented cases included children with learning disabilities, mental health issues, epilepsy, autism, stammers, deafness and LGBTQ+.

Gifts and uncommon characteristics

If a child has a particular skill or talent, this can sometimes be rationalised as the result of possession or witchcraft. This can also be the case if the child is from a multiple or difficult pregnancy.

Complex family structure

Research suggests that a child living with extended family, non biological parents, or foster parents is more at risk. In these situations they are more likely to have been subject to trafficking and made to work in servitude.

What to look out for

Indicators of child abuse linked to faith or belief include the following:

• physical injuries, such as bruises or burns (including historical injuries/scaring)
• a child reporting that they are or have been accused of being ‘evil’, and/or that they are having the ‘devil beaten out of them’
• the child or family may use words such as ‘kindoki’, ‘djin’, ‘juju’ or ‘voodoo’ - all of which refer to spiritual beliefs
• a child becoming noticeably confused, withdrawn, disorientated or isolated and appearing alone amongst other children
• a child’s personal care deteriorating (eg rapid loss of weight, being hungry, turning up to school without food or lunch money, being unkempt with dirty clothes)
• it may be evident that the child’s parent or carer does not have a close bond with the child
• a child’s attendance at school or college becomes irregular or there is a deterioration in a child’s performance
• a child is taken out of a school altogether without another school place having been arranged
• Wearing unusual jewellery/items or in possession of strange ornaments/scripts.

Useful links

AFRUCA: Africans Unite Against Child Abuse 
A UK charity advocating the rights and welfare of African children.

Barnardo's National FGM Centre
This provides a comprehensive overview of CALFB. It covers what CALFB is, health implications, justifications for it, the law and signs that a child could be at risk

Child trafficking Advice Centre (CTAC)
A team that provides advice for professionals responsible for safeguarding children from trafficking.

Thirtyone:eight
An independent Christian charity which helps individuals, organisations, charities, faith and community groups to protect vulnerable people from abuse.

Phone: 0207 735 8941

Useful publications

National Schools Safeguarding Guidance (developed by Metropolitan Police Service)
The Guidance for Schools and Colleges: Safeguarding Children from Sexual Violence, CSE and Harmful Practices has a chapter on CALFB.

Schools Charter on Ending Harmful Practices
This Schools Charter encourages the delivery of high quality, safeguarding focused inputs on harmful practices.

UK Government: National Action Plan to Tackle Child Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief