Lunch and Learn
Abuse Linked to Accusations of Witchcraft and Spirit Possession
17th October 2023 - 12.00pm - 1.30pm
Speaker: Jordan Alexander
Summary:
In 2000 the UK stood still upon learning of the death of a young girl who had been abused, tortured and killed by her guardian. Her name was Victoria Climbie and what happened to her led to a change in legislation and how we all work together. However, It was not until 2004, when a full report was published, where the findings actually found that she had been brought to the UK and abused due to her being branded as a witch by her community. Victoria was then subjected to multiple forms of abuse all based solely because it was firmly believed she was a possessed by evil. Her case is not unique, and there are many more children here in the UK who have been subjected to similar abuse including Kristy Bamu, Ayeesha Ali and ‘Adam’, all children who were killed in the name of spiritual beliefs, whether they be witchcraft or demonic possessions of some sort.
This abuse still takes place today.
Jordan Alexander, the Director of Safeguarding and Strategic Development for Palm Cove Society, has led on multiple investigation in his career in safeguarding to help recognise this abuse and preventing it, leading on a police investigation in 2017 that resulted in the first ever court case in the UK where ‘spiritual possession’ was recognised as the reason for a child being taken for a ritual to remove evil spirits from it by his parent. He has also developed the only CPD accredited training programme in the UK on this subject, bringing awareness and understanding to organisations across the UK on this form of abuse, and how to manage reports where it takes place.
The input will provide an insight from a UK leading expert in this area on how prevalent this abuse is in the UK and the horrific affect it is having on our children, and that through raising awareness, understanding and respect for different cultures and communities’ beliefs, we can make a significant difference to safeguard all children at risk of this abuse
| Ticket Type | Price | Cart |
|---|---|---|
| Members Rate - Lunch and Learn - Abuse Linked to Accusations of Witchcraft and Spirit Possession | £0.00 | |
| Non Members Rate - Lunch and Learn - Abuse Linked to Accusations of Witchcraft and Spirit Possession | £15.00 |
Jordan Alexander, the Director of Safeguarding and Strategic Development for Palm Cove Society, has led on multiple investigation in his career in safeguarding to help recognise Abuse Linked to Accusations of Witchcraft and Spirit Possession and preventing it, leading on a police investigation in 2017 that resulted in the first ever court case in the UK where ‘spiritual possession’ was recognised as the reason for a child being taken for a ritual to remove evil spirits from it by his parent. He has also developed the only CPD accredited training programme in the UK on this subject, bringing awareness and understanding to organisations across the UK on this form of abuse, and how to manage reports where it takes place.
My membership is something I value as I work in academia, my knowledge and expertise is enhanced by the AoCPP community itself and the Child Abuse Review journal. I enjoy and receive great benefit from the opportunity to attend conference events and Congress to "tap into" cutting edge research and evidence of best practice nationally and internationally, all of which benefit the students on my teaching programmes and my own research and publications
