Safeguarding Children’s Rights: exploring issues of witchcraft and spirit possession in London’s African communities

Children accused of witchcraft can be subject to abuse through any of the four identified forms of child abuse: physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect. What has become apparent from the study is that there is a wide spectrum of abuse and the existence of beliefs in Witchcraft and Spirit Possession is not itself proof of significant harm. Understanding and the categorisation of emotional abuse is particularly relevant to the practices of Spirit Possession and Witchcraft.