6/2/05 The Abuse Of A Child "Witch"

The Abuse Of A Child "Witch"

Editorial by Whym Rhymer


I know the English are our closest allies and can be very charming, entertaining people but have you noticed that the English do some of the most unbelievable things?

I happened to spot THIS BBC NEWS story today -- a story of such incredible stupidity and cruelty that, now in the 21st Century, it borders on unbelievable -- but not, perhaps, unbelievable in London.

It started in 2003 when a neighbor boy (age unknown) told his mother that an 8-year old girl was a witch and was using witchcraft against his family. Word apparently got back to the girl's aunt (who, had claimed to be her mother); at that point, the ugliest imaginable abuse started. The girl was beaten, cut, nearly starved and, eventually, zipped up in a bag and thrown in a river. She lived to testify against them.

These idiots (the aunt and two others who assisted her) apparently believed that this 8-year old girl was casting evil spells. They are now on trial. Their cruelty and abuse against the girl will hopefully be punished but, unless they are beaten and thrown in a river to drown, it won't be justice.

To those of us who are uncertain of the definition of 'torture' THIS *earlier story is an excellent example.

* There are links for five earlier stories on the linked page.