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New guidelines on child abuse linked to witchcraft as cases rise

New guidance is being issued to professionals who work with children on how to recognise if a child may be suffering from abuse linked to witchcraft.

The training film, commissioned by the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) Project Violet team in conjunction with the Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service, features information for teachers, social workers and healthcare staff on how to spot if a child may be suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm from abuse linked to witchcraft and spirit possession.

It is designed to build upon the Government's National Action Plan to tackle child abuse linked to faith or belief in England, which was launched in 2012 in the wake of cases such as Kristy Bamu and Victoria Climbe.

The release of the film follows a rise in the number of ritual child abuse cases linked to witchcraft being investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

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