A "harrowing" report on abuse to African children branded as witches is being prepared to be published by ministers.

|TOP|Details of children being beaten in exorcism rituals, such as slashing with razors, starving and rubbing chilli peppers into children's eyes will be revealed, following a string of child abuse cases.

The exact figures of cases in London in the past five years will be revealed in the official report, which will be published in the next two weeks.

Attention focused on witchcraft rituals after the discovery of "Adam", an unknown African boy whose torso was found in the Thames in 2001.

A major international symposium has taken place to respond to the issue last month at the Methodist Central Hall in London.

Across Britain, the African churches are the fastest growing sector of Christianity, but as these churches have experienced huge growth, it has been reported that other entirely separate beliefs are present in the UK, which “masquerade as Christianity and prey on the most alienated and isolated members of society,” tells the BBC.

The BBC also explains how many parts of London with large African populations are regularly leafleted by traditional “spiritual healers”, who proclaim they are doctors and professors, and profess themselves as being able to defeat black magic.

These “healers” divert away from core Christian teachings, and some even present themselves as bona fide Christian leaders in order to gain the respect and trust of vulnerable members of the community.

|AD|Speaking at the symposium was Angus Stickler, an investigative reporter from the BBC, who has been at the forefront of the coverage of the issue, and is best known for his award winning investigations into the north Wales child abuse scandals and for exposing alleged cover-ups within the Catholic Church.

Stickler told delegates, “It is a highly charged and sensitive issue, and only through dialogue can we gain insight into the scale of the problem.”

He told how “more than 20” separate cases had been found of child abuse due to accusations of possession and witchcraft.

“They fervently believe the children to be possessed,” he said, and more so, their beliefs are confirmed by so-called religious leaders and pastors.

However, he added: “We do not know the scale of the problem.”

Dennis Tongoi, the African Region Director of Church Mission Society, spoke out against those committing acts of abuse against children in the name of God.

Calling for a distinguishment to be made, Tongoi told how some of the rogue churches and pastors did not even own a Bible, let alone read its teachings.

“Any ministry that harms people and calls itself Christian, is not Christian!” he declared.

Irukwu said, “It is extremely important to have this research published. We don’t know the truth and real extent of what we are dealing with, and rumours are beginning to circulate.”

The Pastor, who is also Chairman of the largest denomination African-derived Pentecostal churches in Britain, continued, “We are concerned that unless the government handles this wisely, it could in fact drive a wedge between black-majority churches and the wider society, particularly when the newer churches are beginning to make their contribution in addressing some of society’s problems.”

Calling for the government to consult with the black churches more effectively, Irukwu said, “We know it is an immensely difficult position of responsibility, and we want to share that responsibility in order to help them get things right.”