AI Therapy Spurs Rise in Reports of Satanic Ritual Abuse in UK, Experts Reveal
ChatGPT is driving a significant increase in reports of organized ritual abuse across the United Kingdom, according to leading experts. Survivors of so-called "satanic" sexual violence are increasingly turning to the AI tool for therapeutic exploration, leading to a sustained rise in disclosures over the past 18 months.
Under-Reported Crimes and Legal Gaps
Police authorities have emphasized that organized ritual abuse, including witchcraft, spirit possession, and spiritual abuse (WSPRA) targeting children, remains severely under-reported in the UK. Currently, there is no specific modern-day charge that covers these offenses, which are characterized by sexual abuse, violence, and neglect involving ritualistic elements. These elements are often inspired by satanism, fascism, or esoteric religious beliefs, serving as tools to control and manipulate victims.
Perpetrators involved in such cases range from abusive families and networks to human traffickers, online gangs, and paedophile rings. Since 1982, there have been only 14 UK criminal cases where ritualistic practices in sexual abuse were officially acknowledged. However, research conducted in 2025 by clinical psychologist Dr. Elly Hanson suggests that these convictions represent merely the "tip of the iceberg," indicating a much larger hidden problem.
Surge in Reports Linked to AI Usage
Gabrielle Shaw, CEO of the National Association of People Abused in Childhood (Napac), reported a notable uptick in reports of ritual abuse, with many individuals citing ChatGPT as their referral source. Shaw explained, "Over the last six months to a year, we're receiving contacts on the Napac support line where people say, 'I was referred to you by ChatGPT.' They are using AI as a form of therapy and self-exploration. While there are mixed feelings about this approach, if it serves as a gateway to support, it can be viewed positively."
She further noted that while calls typically spike around dates with supernatural or religious significance, the current trend is not a temporary spike but a sustained increase. This rise is attributed to growing awareness of the crime and available support resources, with satanism frequently mentioned in these reports.
Police Response and Training Initiatives
In response to these developments, experts are rolling out specialized training for police forces across the UK. This initiative is spearheaded by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), which has established a dedicated working group to address the issue. The NPCC, along with Napac and the Hydrant policing programme—a nationwide child protection support network—commissioned a review from Dr. Hanson last year. This month, they launched a comprehensive WSPRA briefing for professionals to enhance understanding and response mechanisms.
Richard Fewkes, director of the Hydrant Programme, highlighted the challenges in addressing these crimes, noting that the ritual elements often sound "fantastical," which has contributed to a significant justice gap. He stated, "We need to improve across the entire system in dealing with this issue—it's out there, it does exist, and it's not being adequately reported to police. We've been aware of this problem for many, many years."
Demographics and Broader Implications
Dr. Hanson pointed out that victims often grow up in "regimes of cruelty," with the truth getting lost between a "discourse of disbelief" and "conspiracy fictions." She emphasized that this abuse is not confined to specific cultures; it is occurring within white British, often privileged families, defying common stereotypes about where such crimes might originate.
Shaw provided additional context, revealing that out of 36,700 calls to Napac over nine years, 1,310 mentioned organized ritual abuse. She noted that the offending can be intergenerational, with perpetrators predominantly male, but survivors have also named grandmothers and aunts as involved in the abuse. A recent case in Scotland involved members of a paedophile ring who posed as witches and wizards, resulting in jail sentences for sexual offenses.
This evolving situation underscores the complex interplay between technology, mental health support, and criminal justice, as AI tools like ChatGPT inadvertently become catalysts for uncovering long-hidden abuses.
