Hidden aspects of child abuse

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Sociology of Religion
• Forensic Psychology

Background:

• Child abuse associated with witchcraft and exorcism is a pervasive global issue, transcending cultural, religious, and geographic boundaries across all historical periods.
• Despite its prevalence, this form of abuse is often underreported and underestimated compared to other child abuse categories, leading to limited data and awareness within legal and social services.
• Existing global child protection initiatives, including those by the United Nations, have not adequately addressed this specific hidden form of child maltreatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the psychological impact of child abuse related to witchcraft and exorcism phenomena.
• To explore the historical context, risk factors, extent of harm, and reporting challenges associated with this type of abuse.
• To highlight the need for improved interventions and collaborations in child protection.

Main Methods:

• Case study analysis of seven children experiencing abuse related to witchcraft and exorcism phenomena.
• Psychological assessment using The Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale and Subscales (RCADS) to measure emotional distress.
• Review of historical background, risk factors, damage extent, and reporting challenges.

Main Results:

• The study identified seven cases of child abuse linked to witchcraft and exorcism beliefs.
• Psychological evaluations using RCADS indicated clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression in the affected children.
• Analysis revealed historical precedents, specific risk factors, considerable harm, and significant obstacles in reporting these cases.

Conclusions:

• Child abuse involving witchcraft and exorcism phenomena results in severe psychological harm, notably anxiety and depression.
• There is a critical need to increase awareness and improve reporting mechanisms for this hidden form of child abuse.
• Strengthening partnerships among child protection agencies and implementing multimodal, collaborative approaches with international organizations, alongside strict legal repercussions, are essential for combating this issue.