6/9/05 Reported rise in 'exorcism' cases

Reported rise in 'exorcism' cases

nlnews@archant.co.uk
08 June 2005

AS a Crouch End woman faced jail for torturing her eight-year-old niece who she thought was a "witch", a leading authority on African religions revealed he had been consulted on three similar cases in Haringey over the past year.

The 38-year-old Angolan woman, of Mount View Road - who cannot be named for legal reasons - was found guilty of cruelty to her eight-year-old niece.

She was helped by relatives, Sita Kisanga, 35, and her brother Sebastian Pinto, 33 - both found guilty of aiding the cruelty.

Dr Richard Hoskins, visiting senior research fellow in sociology of religion at King's College London, gave evidence at the trial and was consulted on the case.

He said: "I think Haringey have been doing a very good job. I have been given three jobs in Haringey and they have been quite on the ball and very keen to sort it out."

According to Dr Hoskins, all three cases, like that of the eight-year-old girl, have involved African children being accused of witchcraft and "exorcism" being carried out as a result - a relatively new phenomenon in Africa which is filtering through to the UK.

The details of the cases cannot be revealed for legal reasons.

They are, however, part of a growing trend of witch exorcisms based on fundamentalist Christian beliefs - not traditional African beliefs - which are particularly prevalent in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Dr Hoskins added: "More fundamental Christianity has taken off in Africa and it prescribes exorcism which is much more aggressive and involves physical contact."

The young girl's aunt, Kisanga and Pinto allegedly hit, starved and cut the young girl, rubbed chillies in her eyes and zipped her up in a laundry bag, threatening to throw her into a river.

Sharon Shoesmith, chairwoman of Haringey's local safeguarding children board, said: "Professionals took prompt action to protect this little girl and within days social workers had removed her from her aunt's care. Once in a safe environment and with the support of social workers and other professionals she was able to talk about the abuse she had experienced so evidence could be gathered and put before the court.

"It has now been 16 months since this remarkable young girl was taken into the council's care and I'm pleased to report that she is thriving and happily settled with a foster family and attending a new school. Haringey will continue to oversee her care and provide her with the support she needs.