Kristy Bamu and child protection

I am still reeling at the details of 15-year-old Kristy Bamu being tortured to death by his older sister Magalie Bamu, and her partner Eric Bikubi for their belief he was possessed by kindoki – the word for witchcraft in the Congolese language Lingala.

Last week Bikubi was sentenced to 30 years in prison and Bamu must serve 25 years. Although there are reports on the amendment of the law to punish such wicked crimes, it is the prevention that is of more benefit.

I cannot comprehend that if you believe someone is a witch that you would smash their teeth with a hammer, break ceramic tiles on their head and twist their ears with pliers to cleanse them. If it truly is part of a religious belief, then priests who gain money by preying on the paranoia of disturbed individuals must be exposed.

It is alarming that it was Kristy’s bed-wetting incident that gave the couple the go ahead to act on their conviction.

Scotland Yard has investigated 83 cases involving abuse resulting from ritualistic or faith-based beliefs over the last 10 years.

The first highlighted case in London 12 years ago was the death of Victoria Climbié who suffered at the hands of her great-aunt and boyfriend who believed she was possessed by evil spirits.
Then in 2001 the torso of a boy aged between four and eight was found in the Thames. Police believe it to be a ritualistic killing due to the conviction of two women and a man for child cruelty, torturing and threatening to kill a young Angolan orphan known as Child B.

They claimed she was a witch, cut her with a knife, rubbed chilli peppers in her eyes and sealed her in a laundry bag. They told her she would be thrown away into a river. She ran away and told police.
According to the Met, witchcraft-style exorcisms occur in many different cultures, so stigmatising a community is not a solution.

Laws will not stop people who have these beliefs because it is so ingrained in them. Similar cases are in cultures who kill in the name of family honour, or stalkers who obsess over their victims. The laws must be to protect individuals from harm when they report they are in danger and information should be circulated so potential victims know of any help on the outside.

The following agencies can be contacted for support and advice relating to this matter:

AFRUCA  (Africans Unite Against Child Abuse) aims to insure that children are aware of the risks of abuse, know their rights, and have skills to protect themselves. Tel:  020 7704 2261 Web:  http://www.afruca.org

The police set up Project Violet to work with other agencies to raise awareness of children at risk www.met.police.uk/scd/specialist_units/child_abuse.htm

Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) support the development of the Congolese Pastorship UK as a response to safeguarding issues within Congolese communities, Tel:  0845 120 4550 Web: http://www.ccpas.co.uk

Anyone who has information regarding pastors promoting violent exorcisms on children should contact their local police station or, if they wish to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.