The Dark Side of Faith: How Britain Fails Its Most Vulnerable Children

The UK’s record on protecting its most vulnerable children from spiritual abuse is a symptom of a deeper problem. Behind closed doors, thousands of British kids are subjected to terrifying ordeals in the name of witchcraft or possession, with only a handful of cases reported to police each year.

The statistics paint a disturbing picture: 2,180 known instances of abuse linked to spiritual possession or witchcraft in 2024, and over 1,300 calls to the National Association for People Abused in Childhood’s helpline between 2016 and 2025 mentioning organised or ritualistic abuse. These numbers reveal a society that fails its most vulnerable members.

Take Mardoche Yembi’s story as an example. After his mother passed away, he was forced to live with his aunt in London. However, she soon became convinced that he was possessed by the devil, and her pastor reinforced this notion. As a result, Yembi was starved, isolated, and labelled as “a servant of Satan” by those meant to care for him. It wasn’t until he turned to social services that he finally found safety.

Children with disabilities or conditions like autism are particularly vulnerable to this kind of abuse. They are often wrongly accused and blamed for family misfortunes. This is a heinous form of abuse – physical, emotional, and psychological – carried out in the name of faith.

The government’s response has been woefully inadequate. While officials claim that child safety is paramount, their actions suggest a lack of will to tackle the problem head-on. Updated legislation and specialist support are urgently needed, as well as improved data collection to better understand the scope of this abuse.

This is not just a matter of policy; it’s a cultural issue that goes to the heart of British society. We must confront the darker aspects of faith and community that enable this kind of abuse to thrive. The UK has a long history of tolerating – even celebrating – practices that are an affront to human rights.

The case of Victoria Climbié, who was murdered in 2000 after accusations of witchcraft were levelled against her by her family, serves as a stark reminder of our collective failure. Her death was a national tragedy, but the subsequent inquiry’s findings only scratched the surface of a deeper problem – one that persists to this day.

We must listen to the voices of victims like Yembi and others who have bravely spoken out against spiritual abuse. Their stories are a testament to the strength and resilience of children in the face of unimaginable trauma. However, it’s not just about listening; it’s about action.

The government must take concrete steps to protect its most vulnerable citizens from this form of abuse. This includes updating existing legislation, providing specialist support for victims, and improving data collection to better understand the scope of this problem.

Faith can be a powerful force for good or ill. In this case, it has been used to justify some of the most heinous forms of abuse imaginable. It’s time for Britain to confront its dark side – and take action to ensure that no child is ever forced to suffer through this kind of terror again.

The fate of Mardoche Yembi and countless others hangs in the balance. Will we continue to fail them, or will we finally acknowledge the depth of this crisis and take concrete steps to address it? The choice is ours – but the clock is ticking.