Those working with young people should be able to spot links betweenchild abuse and wider belief, faith or community practices, according tothe Working Together to Safeguard Children guidelines, which were putout for consultation last week.
Abuse linked to spirit possession occurs when problems in a family ariseand a child is singled out and accused of being possessed, theguidelines say.
Professionals are warned to look for signs of abuse and should seekadvice if they are unsure what action to take and who to contact if theybelieve a child is being abused.
But David Pearson, the executive director of the Churches' ChildProtection Advisory Service, believes the guidelines may fail childrenunless work is carried out now. "The document inevitably seeks toaddress the roles and responsibilities of the key statutory agencies,"he said.
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