1. Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk and FAITH BME and FAITH

2. www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Objectives To understand the impact of. What professionals can do to help safeguard these children

3. www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk B.M.E and FAITH Religion and culture plays an important part in the lives of many black and minority ethnic groups. There is great diversity of religious beliefs and cultural practices among the different minority ethnic groups Most cultural practices, traditions and faiths provide protection to children and help keep them safe. Sometimes, however, the interpretation of beliefs and rituals can cause harm to children.

4. www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk B.M.E and FAITH High profile cases such as Victoria Climbie and Child B have highlighted that some families believe strongly that adultsd and children may be possessed by evil spirits which can bring bad luck on a family. This belief is often described as kindoki a Lingala term meaning witchcraft, which comes from a mixture of evangelical christianity and traditional African spiritual beliefs.

5. www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk B.M.E and spirit possession The Government commissioned a research undertaken by Eleanor Stobart, and the subsequent report Child Abuse Linked to Accusations of Possession and Witchcraft was published in June 2006, following wide consultation with faith communities and other interested parties.

6. www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Stobarts research The key findings in Stobarts research were: Belief in Possession and Witchcraft is widespread 74 cases across England were identified with 38 analysed The identified cases amounted to only 0.1% of all child protection enquiries in 2003-4 Abuse, however, included severe beatings, starving and burning Carers other than parents are often abusers Children with disabilities are vulnerable to abuse

7. www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk WHAT PROFESSIONALS CAN DO Ascertain exactly what the faith community believes and practices because they vary enormously Talk with faith leaders attend faith services and/or meetings seek help and advice from specialist agencies such as the CCPAS. Because some faith groups may be part of a larger network e.g. denomination or movement, try to find out what influence, if any, this has on the local group.

8. www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk Use the correct terminology for both the venue where the faith group meets, the name of the religious leader(s) (e.g. pastor, apostle, elder) and the type of services provided. Recognising that some faith communities may be influenced by faith groups outside the UK, gain an understanding of the structure under which they operate.