Safeguarding Children across Culture and Faith – Putting Guidance into Practice

Safeguarding Children linked to a belief in spirit possession and controlled through witchcraft and ritual oaths

Venue:               Princess Diana Memorial Conference Room
Date:                   15 June 2010 (09:30 am – 4:00pm)
Delegate Fee:    £100

 

Background
VCF – The Victoria Climbié Foundation UK is the leading organisation campaigning against child abuse linked to a belief in witchcraft.  Our focus has been to address methods, which are harmful to children, rather than the belief system itself. Since 2004, we have worked primarily with BME communities including faith groups to raise awareness about such harmful practices, through interactive workshops and seminars where we began to open dialogue with professionals and the prevalent communities about the impact on children, and to highlight indicators leading to early prevention of such harm.

Belief in witchcraft and fear of retribution is a major concern when dealing with child trafficking victims who are controlled through physical and psychological means.

Many are coerced, deceived or forced into the control of others leaving them powerless and unable to speak out against their abusers or about their experiences of exploitation. This seminar seeks to take further the guidance and recommendations delivered in the Eleanor Stobart report and will enable agencies and practitioners to respond effectively to the needs of children and young people who are at risk of spirit possession violence and harm.

In addition to this seminar our 2010 multi agency training courses (see attachment) may be of interest to those who would like a more in-depth learning and guidance to support and safeguard children and young people.

SEMINAR AGENDA

  • Emerging Trends – Learn about the branding of children as witches, child abandonment, use of medicine, spells and curses.
  • Coercion and intimidation  – Learn how child victims are controlled and exploited through fear of ritual witchcraft and voodoo practices, physical and psychological abuse leading to an overall dependency on the perpetrator thus enduring their suffering in silence.
  • Debt Bondage – Learn the link between spirit possession and trafficking and how traffickers ensure compliance and guarantee the repayment of the huge sums of money 
  • Deception and Other Control Mechanisms
  • Dangerous and hidden circumstances of trafficked children – Learn how children are documented within domestic service, catering and manual labour, benefit fraud and illicit activities within the UK
  • Victim protection and assistance
  • Case Studies and Practitioners Response

 Target Group
Practitioners within the Local Authorities, Education, Health and Criminal Justice sectors and all others whose work brings them into contact with children and young people.

Certification
A Certificate of Attendance will be issued to participants who attend the whole training event.