Speakers
Jordan Alexander
Jordan is the Head of Safeguarding & Development specialising in supporting those who are victims of slavery and trafficking and domestic abuse NRPF by providing safehouse accommodation and 24/7 support to those identified in need of help. He has over 20 years’ experience in providing safeguarding care and support to others having previously worked in Greater Manchester Police, Metropolitan Police and West Yorkshire Police as a Detective Sergeant, working in all areas of safeguarding from child protection, adults at risk, abusive images and Abuse linked to faith or belief, now referred to as ‘abuse linked to accusations of witchcraft and spiritual possession.
Jordan has led on multiple criminal reports where children have been abused where another person’s belief or spirituality has been used as a rationale to inflict harm and even death on a child. In 2017 he led an investigation that led to the first ever criminal conviction against two men who had trafficked and abused a young boy, where their own beliefs in demonic evil possession was used as rationale for what they did.
He now also sits as the National Chairperson for ALWSPA that brings together organisations from across the UK and abroad to share best practise and awareness of this abuse, while driving forward the need for greater recognition and working with government to bring up to date legislation to safeguard others from this abuse.
Title: Abuse Linked to
Accusations of Witchcraft and Spirit Possession and the devastating impact this
has on children here in the UK
People being accused of witchcraft and spirit possession is nothing new to society, here in the UK it has been practised for over 400 years at least. The Witchcraft Act 1735 was brought about to stop it continuing, later updated in 1951, and yet there are people both here in the UK, and across the world still being abused by others of being ‘evil, ‘possessed’ or a ‘witch’ in a negative way to inflict serious harm and even kill others.
Jordan will talk about the work being done in this area and how you can become more involved in tackling a form of abuse that dates back hundreds of years and never truly went away, despite legislation being put in place. He will share with you cases he has led on and the work ahead to recognise and manage extra ordinary safeguarding concerns that you may not otherwise feel comfortable approaching.