The plan is part of several recommendations made in a Department forEducation and Skills-commissioned report into child abuse casesinvolving witchcraft over the last six years. According to the report,local safeguarding children boards should take the lead in identifying"places of worship within their area and build links with them in orderto monitor effective child protection measures".
But Debbie Ariyo, director of Africans United Against Child Abuse, whichpromotes the rights of African children living in the UK, said: "It isimpossible for these boards to do this under their current funding. Thiswill only happen with extra money."
She said a major concern was that without extra cash the boards wouldnot be able to properly identify what she calls "rogue pastors" whocarry out bogus exorcism rites and services, "often in people's livingrooms and bedrooms". "They are not official and very difficult tolocate. It would take a lot of work to properly control theiractivities," she added.
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