The W Word: Witchcraft Labelling and Child Safeguarding in Social Work Practice

Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand witchcraft branding as a contemporary form of child abuse.

Witchcraft accusations against children are occurring ever more frequently in the UK yet continue to be underestimated by social work professionals. This concise book provides a personal narrative of witchcraft being used as a tool for the infliction of child abuse. The narrative is interspersed with reflective questions, practice dilemmas and relevant links to contemporary policy and practice in social work. Written in an accessible style, it gives an honest insider’s perspective of the unusual form of cruelty and abuse suffered by children in minority communities in the UK. For those embarking on or already in a career in social work, this book is an invaluable read.

Prospera Tedam is the lead for Social Work Practice Quality at Anglia Ruskin University where she has worked since 2016. Her research interests include human rights with a particular focus on children, cultural competency, legal frameworks. She is also the Chair of the voluntary organisation Afruca (Africans Unite Against Child Abuse). Prospera is also a member of the Independent Families Returns Panel for the UK Border Agency.

Awura Adjoa is the pseudonym chosen by this author in order to maintain her annonymity. Originally from West Africa and now a University graduate, Awura sees it as her duty to share her experiences of childhood which was disrupted as a result of being labelled a witch. She has a renewed commitment to making a difference in the lives of children who may be similarly affected or at risk of this form of abuse in the UK and abroad.