The UK has seen a rise in reports of organised ritual abuse, with experts attributing this increase to the use of AI tools like ChatGPT, as reported by The Guardian. This phenomenon is characterised by sexual abuse, violence, and neglect, often involving ritualistic elements inspired by satanism, fascism, or esoteric religious beliefs.
According to clinical psychologist Dr Elly Hanson, the number of convictions for such offences only reflects the "tip of the iceberg". Since 1982, there have been 14 UK criminal cases where ritualistic practices in sexual abuse were acknowledged. However, experts believe that this is just a small fraction of the actual cases, with many going unreported.
Perpetrators of organised ritual abuse can include abusive families and networks, human traffickers, online gangs, and paedophile rings. The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has set up a specialist working group to address this issue, and experts are rolling out training for police forces to better identify and handle these cases.
Increased Reports and the Role of AI
Gabrielle Shaw, CEO of the National Association of People Abused in Childhood (Napac), has noted a "sustained rise" in reports of ritual abuse over the last 18 months, with an increasing number of people saying they were led to report it by AI. Shaw stated that people are using AI, such as ChatGPT, as a form of therapy and exploration, which has contributed to the increase in reports.
Shaw also mentioned that Napac has received 1,310 calls mentioning organised ritual abuse out of 36,700 calls over nine years. She highlighted that offending can be "intergenerational in nature" and that while perpetrators are predominantly male, survivors have named "grandmothers and aunts" as perpetrators.
Breaking Down the Justice Gap
Richard Fewkes, Director of the Hydrant Programme, believes that the fact that ritual elements sound "fantastical" has contributed to the justice gap. He emphasized the need to improve the system in dealing with these cases, as they are often not being reported to the police.
Dr Elly Hanson noted that victims are growing up in "regimes of cruelty", but the truth is getting lost between a "discourse of disbelief" and "conspiracy fictions". She added that this abuse is not limited to specific cultures, but rather is seen within white British, often privileged families, debunking common stereotypes.
A Call for Improved Support and Awareness
The NPCC, Napac, and the Hydrant policing programme have commissioned a review and launched a briefing for professionals to address the issue of organised ritual abuse. Last year, members of a paedophile ring in Scotland who posed as witches and wizards were jailed for sexual offences, highlighting the need for increased awareness and support.
As the use of AI tools like ChatGPT continues to grow, it is essential to acknowledge their potential role in helping survivors of organised ritual abuse come forward and seek support. However, it is also crucial to address the underlying issues and work towards creating a system that can effectively identify and handle these complex cases.
