Q. What is ritual abuse?
Definition:"A brutal form of abuse of children, adolescents and adults, consisting of physical, sexual and psychological abuse, and involving the use of rituals. Rituals does not necessarily mean satanic. However, most survivors state that they were ritually abused as part of satanic worship for the purpose of indoctrinating them into satanic beliefs and practices. Ritual abuse rarely consists of a single episode. It usually involves repeated abuse over an extended period of time." (Ritual Abuse Task Force, Los Angeles County Commission for Women, 1994)
Most sexual abuse of children is ritualised in some way
Abusers use repetition, routine and ritual to coerce children into the patterns of behaviour they require, to instil fear and ensure silence. Nursery rhymes, prayers, bath times or teddy bears might be used like this by an abusing family member; gifts, secrets, elaborate games, dressing up, taking photographs may be part of a paedophile's ritual preparation of a victim.
The sexual abuse of a child is never a random act, it always involves thorough planning and preparation to gain and maintain access to children for their sexual exploitation. Satanic ritual abuse is therefore very closely related both practically and ideologically to paedophilia. However, satanic ritual abuse brings with it the added elements of religion and worship. Often generations of a family are involved and the acts may be incessantly more horrific than seen elsewhere. However, ritual abuse is not always satanic or 'black magic'.
Child sexual abuse is always about power and secrecy. Ritual abuse survivors frequently fear for their lives - their abusers may be highly organised and have more to lose than custody or respectability. Yet survivors are beginning to speak out and we are here to listen.
Supporting Survivors of Ritual Abuse in Ireland
In the past 15 years survivors have been disclosing experiences of Satanic Ritual Abuse to Rape Crisis Centres, social workers, counsellors and other caring agencies here in Ireland. In response Rape Crisis Centres, led by Galway RCC, carried out extensive skills building, networking and research on the issue throughout the 1990s. The number of those who are coming forward in Ireland is still very limited but this form of abuse does exist in Ireland. Equally, expertise and help in recovery from ritual abuse is available in The Centre.
Useful contacts:
CARI 1890 94567
www.izzyspromise.org.uk