UNITED KINGDOM
Yahoo! News
By Samantha Payne | IB Times
A pastor swinging a child and banging their head to drive out the devil is one of 27 “horrific” child abuse incidents “linked to belief” the Met Police has investigated over the past year, it has emerged.
Other examples of removing evil spirits include dunking children in a bath, forcing an infant to drink unknown substances and rubbing chilli peppers into a child’s eyes.
One case even involved parents removing their children from school to attend an exorcism ceremony in the country.
Out of the 27 investigations ranging from child neglect to sexual assault offences, two cases resulted in an arrest for rape and one being charged for rape.
“Abuse linked to belief is a horrific crime which is condemned by people of all cultures, communities and faiths. A number of high-profile investigations brought the issue of ritual abuse and witchcraft into the headlines but it is important that professionals are clear about the signs to look for,” said Terry Sharpe, detective superintendent from the Met’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command.
The Met Police has launched a special conference today (8 October) at City Hall to raise awareness about ritual child abuse in partnership with the Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS). Officers believe it is a crime kept hidden within families and faith communities, which can be prevented through better partnership working with the community.
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