The London Metropolitan Police, UK has revealed that cases of children being raped and swung around and smacked in the head “to drive out the devil” are among the reports they have received in increasing numbers.
Up to 27 allegations have been made to Scotland Yard in the past year, including two claims of rape, a child being swung around and smacked in the head “to drive out the devil” and others being dunked in water.
Child killings including the murder of 15-year-old Kristy Bamu, who was tortured and drowned by his sister and her boyfriend in 2010, and the death of Victoria Climbie have been linked to such beliefs with the number of cases of ritualistic or faith-based abuse of children reported to the Metropolitan Police increasing every year over the past decade.
A total of 24 were passed to the force in 2013; 19 in 2012 and nine in 2011 – with 148 cases referred to the Met since 2004.