Violence against Children Accused of Witchcraft in Nigeria and its Impact on Their Wellbeing :

an Empirical Analysis of Cases in Akwa Ibom and Lagos States

Abstract

Witchcraft accusations have been on the rise across various regions of Nigeria. Unfortunately, those often accused are not just the adults, but also children. Rather than being protected, provided for, and loved, these children are accused and dehumanised. Some of these children have been abandoned on the streets, tortured with hot objects, had acid poured on them, and even been killed. Shockingly, their accusers are often not strangers, but close family members including parents, step-parents, siblings, and cousins. This study analyses three accounts of witchcraft accusations against children, the horrendous violence it attracted to the accused, and its impact on their wellbeing in order to identify factors responsible for witchcraft accusations and violence against children. A qualitative research method was adopted through face-to-face interviews and empirical analysis of documented cases of witchcraft accusations in Nigeria.    The findings reveal that cultural beliefs, the portrayal of children as witches in movies, a prevailing witchcraft mentality, the teachings of religious institutions on witchcraft, and ignorance are key factors responsible for witchcraft accusations and violence against children. Furthermore, the findings show that witchcraft accusations and violence against children affect them in five domains: their health, material wellbeing, education, risk, and relationships. The study recommends that the biblical passages that Nigerian pastors use to validate witchcraft accusations be interpreted within the context intended by the original writers, that movies depicting children as witches be banned or strictly regulated, and that those who interact with children in the five domains be trained and equipped to reduce the effects of accusation and violence on the children.