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A form of abuse
Ritual abuse is abuse that occurs within a context of rituals, ceremonies, or belief systems, sometimes involving groups or extended family networks. Witchcraft accusations are beliefs that a person, often a child, is causing harm through supernatural means, leading to violence, abandonment, exorcism, or exploitation. Both are forms of abuse that exploit faith, fear, and community power.
Why this matters
Ritual abuse and witchcraft accusations are difficult to discuss because they involve belief, culture, and community. They are also real forms of harm that affect children and adults around the world. Children accused of witchcraft have been beaten, abandoned, tortured, or killed. Adults in controlling groups have been subjected to sexual, physical, and psychological abuse justified by religious or ritual authority.
These abuses often sit at the intersection of spiritual abuse, physical abuse, child abuse, and trafficking. They require a careful response: one that protects the victim without mocking the community's beliefs, and that works with faith leaders and child protection systems where possible.
We approach this as a faith-rooted foundation. We believe that protecting a child or vulnerable adult is a sacred obligation. No belief system, tradition, or authority can justify violence, abandonment, or exploitation.
The definition
A child is accused of being a witch, possessed, or causing misfortune, illness, death, or financial failure. Accusations can lead to beatings, starvation, exorcism, abandonment, or trafficking. UNICEF has documented cases across parts of Africa and among diaspora communities.
UNICEF, Children Accused of WitchcraftAttempts to drive out evil spirits through physical force, starvation, isolation, burning, cutting, or severe deprivation. These practices can cause injury, trauma, and death, particularly to children.
International Cultic Studies AssociationAbuse that occurs within rituals or ceremonies, sometimes involving sexual abuse, physical violence, or psychological manipulation. Ritual abuse can be organised, familial, or linked to coercive groups.
International Cultic Studies AssociationAdults or children are exploited financially, sexually, or through forced labour because they are told they are cursed, possessed, or specially chosen. Faith becomes a tool of coercion.
UNICEF, Children Accused of WitchcraftHow it works
When a family faces illness, poverty, or death, a child or vulnerable adult is blamed as the cause. This diverts attention from real problems and makes the victim the source of fear.
UNICEF, Children Accused of WitchcraftPastors, healers, prophets, or elders claim divine authority to punish, exorcise, or control. Their authority is treated as beyond question.
International Cultic Studies AssociationThe victim is told that disobedience will bring curses, death, eternal damnation, or harm to loved ones. Fear of spiritual consequences keeps them silent.
International Cultic Studies AssociationThe family or community supports the abuse, making it hard for the victim to reach outside help. People who question are also accused or ostracised.
UNICEF, Children Accused of WitchcraftHow to identify it
One of these on its own may mean nothing. Several of them together, repeated over time, is a pattern, and a pattern is what abuse looks like from the inside.
Who it happens to
Abuse does not respect age, gender, income, faith, or country. These are the people most often affected by this particular form.
Children, especially those who are orphaned, disabled, have unusual behaviour, or are seen as different from the family.
Adults with disabilities, mental health conditions, or social isolation who are vulnerable to accusations and exploitation.
People in diaspora communities where traditional beliefs and social stress collide, sometimes leading to scapegoating.
Adults and children in coercive religious or spiritual groups that use ritual as a cover for abuse.
What it costs
Beatings, starvation, burning, cutting, forced ingestion of substances, and other harmful practices can cause serious injury or death. Children are especially vulnerable.
UNICEF, Children Accused of WitchcraftChildren who are accused of witchcraft or subjected to harmful exorcism can experience lifelong trauma, attachment disruption, and mental health conditions.
World Health Organization, Violence against childrenAccused children may be thrown out of their homes, sent to live with pastors or traffickers, or end up on the street. This creates pathways to further exploitation.
UN Office on Drugs and CrimeFor both children and adults, abuse in a spiritual context can destroy trust in faith, community, and the very people who should provide safety.
International Cultic Studies AssociationHow to deal with it
If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. If you are in the U.S., call 911 or Childhelp at 1-800-422-4453.
If you are a child accused of witchcraft, you are not cursed. You are a child who needs protection. Tell a teacher, nurse, or trusted adult if you can.
If you are an adult survivor of ritual abuse or harmful spiritual practices, support is available. You are not responsible for what happened to you.
Reach out to organisations that understand faith-based abuse without being hostile to faith. The International Cultic Studies Association and similar groups can help.
If you have been moved to another country or away from family, tell a trusted adult, school official, or authority. You may be able to access child protection services.
Take accusations of witchcraft and ritual abuse seriously, even if they are outside your cultural experience. A child's safety is the priority.
Do not try to reason with the abuser about theology. Focus on safety, and involve child protection services or adult protective services.
In the U.S., report suspected child abuse to child protective services or call 911. In Texas, the Texas Abuse Hotline is 1-800-252-5400.
Work with culturally informed and faith-sensitive services where possible. They can help navigate community dynamics while protecting the victim.
For diaspora communities, connect with community leaders who reject witchcraft accusations and support child protection. Some leaders can be powerful allies.
Where to get help
If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number first. Everything below is confidential and none of it requires you to make a decision today.
unicef.org/wca/reports/children-accused-witchcraft
UNICEF research and guidance on children accused of witchcraft and how to protect them.
icsahome.com · resources and support
Information and support for people affected by cultic, high-control, and ritual abuse groups.
1-800-422-4453 · childhelp.org
National child abuse hotline for reporting and support in the United States.
safehorizon.org · child and family services
Victim services for children and families, including support after abuse and family crisis.
Questions
Yes. UNICEF and other organisations have documented cases in several countries and among diaspora communities. Children may be accused of causing illness, death, or bad luck, and can face severe violence or abandonment.
Yes. Ritual abuse refers to abuse that occurs within ritual or ceremonial contexts. It can involve physical, sexual, or psychological harm and may occur in family, group, or institutional settings.
Report it to child protective services or police. In the U.S., call 911 in emergencies or 1-800-422-4453 for the Childhelp hotline. The child's safety is the priority, and you do not need proof to report.
No. Many faith traditions have practices that are consensual and safe. The line is crossed when force, violence, deprivation, or coercion is used, especially with children or vulnerable adults.
Faith should never be a reason to harm a child or vulnerable adult. Where belief becomes violence, the community's first duty is protection, not doctrine. There are people who will help you without turning your faith against you.
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