African Churches in Britain Discuss Child Abuse Cases

A court case was heard last week regarding three people involved in physical abuse of an eight-year-old girl in extreme religious rituals. All three people were found guilty by the court. African minorities, evangelical Christians, the Metropolitan Police and social workers have been greatly drawn to this terrifying incident and great concerns have been raised.

A government summit hosted by the children's minister, Beverley Hughes, is scheduled for next week, where representatives of African churches in the UK are to meet ministers, police and social services chiefs to tackle faith-related child abuse.

The Court last week heard that a girl originally from Angola who is now 10 years old, was accused of practising witchcraft. As a result she was cut with a knife, beaten with a belt and had chilli peppers rubbed in her eyes to "beat the devil out of her" by some members attending the same African Protestant church, one of these abusers was her aunt who brought her to Britain.

Rumour regarding exorcism have been spreading among African communities and churches in London since March, and the Police have already started probes over some cases of so-called "faith crimes" involving child abuses.

The Metropolitan police in collaboration with the African communities in the east London boroughs of Hackney and Newham, has set up Project Violet, which aims to detect and prevent abuse.

A separate strategy group on cultural and religious abuse is being set up by the London Child Protection Committee to support Project Violet as well.

Bishop Dr Joe Aldred, secretary for Minority Ethnic Christian Affairs (MECA), a part of the ecumenical organisation Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), and chair of the Council of Black-led Churches in Birmingham, commented on the child abuse cases.

"Children and young people are a gift from God. As Church members of a larger community we need to do all we can to promote the welfare of children. Our responsibility is to all children, not just our own; this duty extends into the Church, home and the local community."

"The African faith community has been horrified by this case of child abuse. When cases of abuse are reported they should be dealt with firmly and appropriately. Any religious practice or belief that harms children cannot be justified or excused."

"People in the Church and the community look to Church leaders for guidance and moral leadership. They must use the trust and confidence placed in them to speak out publicly against child abuse."