health
March 8, 2026
ChatGPT driving rise in reports of ‘satanic’ organised ritual abuse, UK experts say
Exclusive: ‘Witchcraft, spirit possession and spiritual abuse’ offending typified by sexual abuse, violence and neglect
TL;DR
- UK experts note a rise in reports of organised ritual abuse, with survivors using AI like ChatGPT for therapeutic exploration.
- Organised ritual abuse, including 'witchcraft, spirit possession and spiritual abuse' (WSPRA), is under-reported in the UK.
- This type of offending involves sexual abuse, violence, and neglect with ritualistic elements, perpetrated by families, traffickers, and online gangs.
- Support organizations like Napac have seen a sustained increase in ritual abuse reports over the last 18 months, with many survivors mentioning AI referrals.
- The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and other groups are rolling out training for police forces to address WSPRA.
- Convictions for ritualistic sexual abuse are considered the 'tip of the iceberg', with few criminal cases acknowledged since 1982.
- The abuse is not confined to specific cultures or stereotypes and can occur within white, often privileged, families.
- Perpetrators can include family members across generations, and the nature of the abuse can be intergenerational.
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