In the past year, there have been 2,180 cases of child abuse associated with witchcraft reported by local authorities. This disturbing trend, which often involves exorcisms, was highlighted by data collected by the National FGM Centre. The findings come shortly after the 25th anniversary of the tragic death of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie.
Victoria Climbie suffered horrific abuse, including starvation, physical violence, and confinement, after being falsely labeled as possessed by demons in Haringey, North London. Her guardians, Marie-Therese Kouao and Carl Manning, were sentenced to life in prison in 2003, leading to significant reforms in child protection legislation.
Since 2014, there have been a total of 14,000 recorded cases of abuse related to witchcraft by local authorities. The latest figures indicate a concerning rise in such cases, with 1,950 cases identified in 2018/19 compared to 1,460 in 2016/17.
A recent account from Mardoche Yembi, now 33, sheds light on the traumatic experiences he endured as a child accused of witchcraft. Mardoche, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, faced accusations of bringing misfortune to his family and was subjected to prolonged exorcisms in North London. His story has been adapted into a film titled “Kindoki Witch Boy.”
Victoria Climbie, a young girl from Ivory Coast, tragically lost her life in 2000 due to severe abuse while under the care of her great-aunt. Her death prompted a comprehensive public inquiry that exposed systemic failures in child protection services involving multiple agencies.
The Local Government Association emphasized the importance of training professionals to recognize signs of potential abuse and fostering community engagement to combat such atrocities.