National Freephone Helpline

0808 802 9999

12:00 – 14:30 daily
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Ritual Abuse

Please be aware that the following material contains information that you may find distressing. It is important to ensure you are in a place that feels safe to you before reading and that you feel able to access support should you need it, including our helpline.

What is Ritual Abuse?

The Definition of Ritual Abuse is: Abuse that occurs in the context linked to some symbols or group activity that have religious, magical or supernatural connotation and where the invocation of these symbols or activities, repeated over time, is used to frighten and intimate children. All of this is conducted for the purpose of control so that the abusers can systematically sexually abuse children.

Ritual Abuse Facts

Ritual abuse is sexual abuse that occurs in a context linked to some symbols or fantasy that may or may not be linked to a known entity and where the invocation of these symbols or activities are repeated over time using torture and brain washing to indoctrinate, terrify and harm children sexually, mentally and physically in order to make financial gain from ‘pornography’ (child sexual abuse images) and the sexual exploitation of children. ‘The group’ may worship Satan or other deities. Although survivors speak of differing experiences, many elements are common:

• Elaborate rituals, “games” set ups and “ceremonies”.
• Systematic emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
• Being used in the production of images of child abuse (commonly called child pornography) and child sexual exploitation (commonly called prostitution).
• Being forced to take drugs and alcohol.
• Being tortured almost to the point of death.
• Being forced to participate in the abuse of others.

Ritual Abuse can involve cults or it can happen within a family setting or even on an individual basis. There can be multiple perpetrators, multiple victims and the use of rituals which include severe sexual abuse, physical abuse and torture.

The most important element for the perpetrators is that it is all kept very secret and they are very good at doing that. Perpetrators use ‘mind control’ techniques, such as systematic and brutal programming directed at every level of an individual’s awareness (physical, emotional, sexual, mental and spiritual) for the purpose of indoctrination and domination. The use of such techniques effectively silences those within that group and so works as a deterrent to disclosure. The perpetrators justify their actions using a religious or political ideology when actually it is about the systematic abuse and exploitation of children and financial gain.

Useful Contacts

There are several specialist agencies working with survivors of ritual abuse and dissociative identity disorder. All of our counsellors and helpline workers are specially trained in both ritual abuse and dissociative identity disorder.

First Person Plural

firstpersonplural.org.uk
P.O. Box 2537
Wolverhajmpton
WV4 4ZL

Safe
Helpline 01722 410889
P.O. Box 1557
Salisbury
SP1 2TP

All of our helpline workers are trained in supporting survivors of Ritual Abuse. Contact our helpline to talk about how you’re feeling, what your choices are and how to ensure you’re accessing the quality support you deserve. 0808 802 9999.