Sunny Psychology
Ritualistic Abuse
“Healing begins when you give yourself permission to reclaim your own truth
and recognise that the trauma you experienced does not define you.”
Before you continue, please be aware
The information on this page is intended to inform and validate. I have done my best to write as comprehensively as possible, however due to the many complexities of the workings of ritualistic abuse the information below, and subsequent pages, is not conclusive and therefore may not (entirely) reflect your experience.
When it comes to the types of organised crime that are religious coercion, ritualistic abuse and child trafficking, I believe that, as a society, we are very far behind on what is happening in our own country and what appears to be happening in most countries around the world. It is because of the courage of more and more brave survivors coming forward that we can learn how multifaceted, distorted and horrific the crimes committed against them are and how it is still taking place. It is also because of them that we are now at the beginning of understanding how these atrocities have impacted their development, their psyche and how it continues to impact their choices today.
As a clinical practitioner I am aware of my limitations working with survivors, since A. I am not a survivor of ritualistic abuse and B this type of abuse was not taught about in university or even any of my trainings around Structural Dissociation and parts-work. At the time of writing (January 2025) there are still limited clinical resources available. Additionally, many of my colleagues in the field of mental health are experiencing as much disbelief as the average community member, downplaying these extreme forms of abuse and even directly discrediting the existence, leading to further silencing of survivors.
As a psychologist it is my role to support, encourage and empathise and so it is with much gratitude to my amazing clients that I am working alongside them, as they are facing the horrors of their childhood, because one day they decided they were brave enough to speak up to someone outside their own mind.
Lastly, the images on these pages have been chosen carefully, however if it turns out an image is representative of a programme, a sign or something else related to the group you are- or were a part of, please know this is unintentional and coincidental and feel free to email me so I can decide to change it. I am in no way, shape or form affiliated with a religion, a political group or any type of organisation that practices mind control, abuse or coercion to control their people.
Sunny Psychology
What is ritualistic abuse?
Ritualistic abuse refers to a form of abuse where an individual, often starting in (early) childhood and even as early as in utero, is subjected to repeated physical, emotional, sexual and/ or psychological harm in the context of rituals. These rituals can be part of a larger, organised system such as cults or secret societies, or they may occur in isolated, abusive settings. The key aspect that differentiates ritualistic abuse from other forms of abuse is the involvement of ritualistic or ceremonial practices that involve manipulation, fear and coercion. These rituals often have a specific pattern and/or symbolism, and victims are typically subjected to intimidation, control and different types of torture by abusers.
What is Mind Programming?
Mind programming, often referred to as mind control or manipulation, is a psychological practice where an individual is subjected to intense influence, conditioning and/or coercion to control and/or change their thoughts, behaviours and beliefs. This can occur through repetitive, manipulative techniques such as hypnotism, emotional, physical or psychological abuse and highly controlling environments. Mind programming is typically employed to serve the interests or agendas of those in power, often within cults, abusive relationships, high-control groups, governments and religious groups.
The goal of mind programming is to override the individual’s autonomy, replacing their natural thinking and decision-making processes with those dictated by the abuser or manipulator. In many cases, it can lead to profound changes in the person’s identity, values and behaviours. You can find more information about mind programming, or mind control here.
Ritualistic Abuse and Mind Programming: How They Are Interconnected
Ritualistic abuse and mind programming go hand-in-hand in a harmful cycle of manipulation, control and psychological trauma. While ritualistic abuse and mind programming are distinct forms of abuse, they can complement and reinforce each other, creating a deeply damaging experience for victims.
Ritualistic abuse creates the conditions for mind programming by breaking down the victim’s autonomy, eroding their sense of self and enforcing compliance through fear and trauma. In turn, mind programming reinforces the victim’s belief in the rituals and the abuser’s control, further trapping them in a cycle of abuse and manipulation.
Both forms of abuse are highly damaging and have long-lasting psychological, emotional and physical effects on the victim. Recovery from both ritualistic abuse and mind programming requires a strong support system, specialised trauma-informed therapy and time. It’s crucial for survivors to receive validation, understanding and care as they heal from these deeply ingrained forms of abuse that have influenced their thoughts and behaviours. You can find more information about ritualistic abuse and mind programming here.
“Recovery is about learning to trust yourself again and giving yourself permission
to feel joy, peace and love after experiencing the depths of darkness.”
What is the purpose of ritualistic abuse?
The purpose of ritualistic abuse can vary depending on the beliefs and goals of those who perpetrate it, but it generally involves a combination of physical, emotional, psychological, and sometimes spiritual manipulation. Here are some possible reasons why people might engage in ritualistic abuse:
- Control and Power: The primary goal for many abusers is to gain control over their victims. This control can be exerted through fear, manipulation, and the breaking down of the victim’s sense of self. The abuser may feel empowered by their ability to dominate or manipulate others.
- Inducing Trauma for Mind Control: Victims may be deliberately traumatised in a way that leads to dissociation—where the mind disconnects from the painful reality. This dissociation can make it easier for abusers to manipulate the victim’s thoughts and behaviours, sometimes through mind programming. The goal can be to create someone who is easier to control and who might perform actions or follow instructions without fully understanding or resisting.
- Psychological and Emotional Destruction: Ritualistic abuse can also serve the purpose of psychologically breaking down a person. This might be done with the aim of rebuilding them in a way that serves the abuser’s purposes—whether that’s for exploitation, obedience, or even for ritualistic or symbolic reasons.
- Satanic or Occult Beliefs: In some cases, ritualistic abuse is tied to occult, satanic, or extreme religious beliefs. The abusers may believe they are conducting rituals or sacrifices to gain power, achieve spiritual goals, or manipulate supernatural forces. In such instances, abuse becomes a tool for fulfilling these distorted beliefs.
- Trafficking or Exploitation: Sometimes ritualistic abuse is part of broader networks of human trafficking, where victims are used for sexual, labour or financial exploitation. The abuse could be a way to keep victims in a subjugated state, making them easier to exploit.
- Cultural or Traditional Rituals: In certain rare and extreme cases, people might claim to be engaging in abuse as part of a tradition or cultural practice, though such practices are often a form of harmful, illegal behaviour rather than legitimate tradition.
How Does Ritualistic Abuse Impact Children and Adults Psychologically?
Children who experience ritualistic abuse are often left with deep and complex psychological scars. The psychological effects are profound due to the extreme nature of the abuse, the secrecy involved, and the child’s powerlessness to escape. Some common psychological impacts include:
- Severe Trauma: Exposure to intense, repeated trauma can lead to complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD, see more here [link to PTSD page], dissociation (including Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), see more here [LINK to DID page], and other trauma-related disorders such as anxiety, chronic depression and disordered eating patterns. This is especially likely if the trauma occurred during a critical developmental period, such as childhood.
- Trust Issues: The abuse often involves manipulation and betrayal by caregivers or authority figures they were supposed to trust, which can lead to lifelong difficulties in trusting others.
- Guilt and Shame: Victims tend to have been trained to internalise blame because they have been made to feel responsible for the abuse, especially if they were manipulated into participating in rituals and/ or coerced into silence.
- Identity Confusion: Children and adults may struggle to form a healthy sense of self due to the conflicting messages received during abuse, where they may be told they are “special” or chosen while also being hurt or degraded.
- Fear and Paranoia: People subjected to ritualistic abuse may develop persistent fears, not just of their abusers, but also of the world around them, often because they were told those outside the group would hurt them even more. This fear regularly extends into adulthood.
Symptoms in Children and Adults
Survivors of ritualistic abuse often do not come forward until they are far into adulthood. However, the effects of ritualistic abuse can carry over from childhood into adulthood, without the survivor realising why they have these symptoms. Survivors often experience a variety of symptoms, including:
- Intrusive Memories and Flashbacks: Adults may relive traumatic events, either through vivid memories or flashbacks, where they feel as though the abuse is happening again.
- Dissociation: Survivors might experience episodes of dissociation, where they feel detached from reality, as though they are outside of their own body or living in a dream-like state.
- Depression and Anxiety: Many adults struggle with ongoing feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or constant worry. Anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and severe depression are common.
- Self-Esteem Issues: Due to the degrading and manipulative nature of ritualistic abuse, individuals often suffer from low self-worth, leading to difficulties in relationships and maintaining a sense of personal value.
- Hypervigilance: A heightened state of awareness, where the person is constantly on alert for threats, even when no danger is present, is a common symptom of those who have experienced abuse.
- Physical Health Problems: The emotional and psychological trauma can manifest in physical symptoms, such as chronic pain, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and other stress-related health conditions.
“Trauma survivors often need to rebuild a sense of safety, trust, and control.
This is the core of healing, and it’s a process that takes time, patience, and compassion.”
What Can Help Survivors Recover?
Recovery from ritualistic abuse is a long and complex process that requires a multi-faceted approach. Key components of recovery include:
- Therapy and Trauma-Informed Care: Professional help from therapists trained in trauma-informed care and, specifically, those experienced with ritualistic abuse, is crucial. Methods such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and other trauma-focused therapies can help individuals process their experiences and manage symptoms.
- Building Safety and Stability: Creating a safe environment, free from triggers and ongoing threats, is essential in the recovery process. This might involve moving away from abusive environments and fostering a stable, nurturing space where the survivor can begin to heal.
- Support Groups and Peer Support: Connecting with others who have had similar experiences can provide a sense of understanding and solidarity. Support groups specifically for survivors of ritualistic abuse can be healing and empowering.
- Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques: Practices such as mindfulness, yoga, and other grounding techniques can help survivors stay connected to the present moment and reduce symptoms of dissociation and anxiety.
- Patient and Compassionate Support: Support from loved ones, friends, and communities is crucial. It’s important for survivors to feel heard, believed, and supported without judgment, as this can help counteract the isolation and shame that often accompany abuse.
Please see here for more in depth information about the recovery process of ritualistic abuse.
Conclusion
Ritualistic abuse leaves deep, long-lasting scars on its victims, affecting their emotional, psychological and physical well-being. However, recovery is possible with the right support, therapy and understanding. It is important for survivors to find supportive communities, seek professional help and allow themselves time to heal, knowing that their journey towards recovery can be both challenging and transformative.
