Jordan Alexander Discusses Spiritual and Ritual Abuse

In this episode, guest host Mary Louise Bingham and special expert Jordan Alexander, chair of the UK’s National Working Group on Spiritual and Ritual Abuse (SARA), join Witch Hunt hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack. Jordan shares his journey from the police force and safeguarding roles to advocacy, exploring the complexities of spiritual and ritual abuse, providing concrete examples, discussing the UK’s systemic response, and highlighting the need for global awareness and legislative changes. We also address the rise of SARA cases, global challenges, media portrayals perpetuating harmful stereotypes, and efforts to combat abuse. Additionally, we highlight an upcoming survivor stories conference.
We explore the rise of SARA cases, global challenges, and the need for legislative changes. The conversation also touches on media portrayals of witchcraft, an upcoming survivor stories conference, and efforts by our nonprofit End Witch Hunts to gather data on SARA in the US. While we often focus on historical witch trials, today we examine how similar fears lead to harm to people today through violent exorcisms, accusations of witchcraft, human sacrifice, and other forms of SARA.