CHSCP: Group A/B/C - Protecting Children and Vulnerable Adults from Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief

The stories of Victoria Climbie, Ayesha Ali, Kristy Bamu, and Khyra Ishaq (to name a few) highlighted that child abuse linked to faith and belief is another hidden form of abuse that professionals should be aware of.

The 'National Action Plan to Tackle Child Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief' (2012) focuses on the belief in concepts of witchcraft and spirit possession; demons or the devil acting through children or leading them astray; the evil eye or djinns and dakini; ritual or muti murders; and the use of belief in magic or witchcraft to create fear in children to make them more compliant when they are being trafficked for domestic slavery or sexual exploitation.

Child abuse linked to faith or belief will present as:

• neglect,
• physical,
• sexual,
• emotional abuse

and the challenge for professionals lies in identifying the underlying cause of the abuse. 

Aim of the course:

To equip professionals with the knowledge and confidence to recognise and deal with child abuse linked to faith and belief. 

By the end of the course, participants will have:

• gained knowledge of what abuse linked to faith or belief is, and the context within harmful practices,
• the ability to identify factors within various faith and belief systems that may make some of these harmful to children and adults,
• enhanced confidence in supporting those at risk of or who have undergone abuse linked to faith and belief, and
• have had an opportunity to reflect on personal views about faith/belief and how this may impact case handling.

A Note about Groups:

• Group A training is for people who are in contact with or work regularly with children and young people and with their parents/carers
• Group B training is for people who work regularly with children and young people and adults who are parents/carers and may have particular responsibility for safeguarding children
• Group C training is for designated safeguarding leads and managers in organisations employing staff to work with children and families or with responsibility for commissioning or delivering services.

This course is for colleagues that fall into groups A, B and C.