The South West London Harmful Practices Learning Event has been organised in collaboration with Merton, Wandsworth, Richmond, Kingston boroughs and the Police South West BCU.

Abuse linked to faith or belief is where concerns for a child’s welfare have been identified, and could be caused by, a belief in witchcraft, spirit or demonic possession, ritual or satanic abuse features; or when practices linked to faith or belief are harmful to a child.

It can take place for some of the following reasons:

abuse as a result of a child being accused of being a ‘witch’

abuse as a result of a child being accused of being possessed by ‘evil spirits’

ritualistic abuse which is prolonged sexual, physical and psychological abuse

satanic abuse which is carried out in the name of ‘satan’ and may have links to cults

any other harmful practice linked to a belief or faith

This year's South West London Harmful Practices Learning Event will focus on Child Abuse Linked to Faith and Belief (CALFB) with national leads talking about:

What is CALFB? An overview to assist identify vulnerability and cases of abuse
What can Schools and Education do about CALFB?
Local Context/Referrals

SPEAKER DETAILS:

Inspector Allen Davis is the MPS operational lead for Harmful Practices (FGM, Forced Marriage, HBA and Abuse Linked to Faith and Belief) and works at both a National and International level on these issues. He joined the Met in 1996. He also leads on Chemsex and Sex Work and also has an extensive background working with Schools and Education. He established (and is now Chair of the Board of Trustees) of the Charity ‘Growing Against Violence’ which seeks to prevent youth violence and protect young people against exploitation by gangs and grooming both on the streets and online. GAV sessions have been delivered to over 200,000 students in more than 900 schools across the country. He is also Deputy Chair of the National Working Group of Child Abuse Linked to Faith and Belief.

Dr Lisa Oakley is an associate professor in psychology at the university of Chester and the chair of the National working group for child abuse linked to faith and belief. She is also chair of the task and finish group at the Church of England on spiritual abuse. She was part of a team who researched frontline practitioner and community awareness of child abuse linked to faith and belief. She has spoken nationally and internationally on this topic.

Kate Bridger is a Detective Sergeant who has with worked within child abuse and child protection since 2001 managing and investigating serious crimes committed against children. After 4 years investigating high profile child murders, she managed a joint Met Police and Border Force team covering London’s ports, tackling international child trafficking, slavery and safeguarding. Kate is a specialist interviewer of children and Tier 5 interview advisor, a Met Police cultural advisor in relation to Southern Africa practices and traditions, fluent in Nyanja and Chichewa and a qualified safari guide.

**Level 3 Safeguarding Training

SW Harmful Practices Annual Event: Child Abuse Linked to Faith and Belief