Hughes acting on faith-related abuse

The children’s minister says “momentum is gathering” in tackling child abuse, including witchcraft in faith communities.

The government “may not yet have the full picture” on the extent of abuse in faith communities, Beverley Hughes told a Community Care conference this week.

But she said better co-operation, notably among Congolese pastors, would improve safeguarding within new immigrant communities.

Guidance for agencies on dealing with issues such as exorcism would be included in an amended version of Working Together to Safeguard Children later this year, she said.