Forensic Considerations in Ritual Trauma Cases (Part 3)

(This would naturally include the child’s birthday.) Ritually abused children often become agitated shortly before, during, and after these dates. They may exhibit aggressive behavior with peers, become regressed or withdrawn, experience a higher degree of night terror, etc. It is important to be aware of the influence that these dates may be having on the child so that they can be factored into the therapeutic process. At Halloween, for example, it may be appropriate to remove any celebratory decorations in the child’s home or placement until the child has worked through any triggering imagery related to the holiday. D. SOCIAL WORKERS

When dealing with the issue of ritual trauma, the role of a social worker can be pivotal in determining what services are made available to the child and his or her family. The majority of ritually abused children do not enter foster care or the legal system as a result of an allegation of ritual trauma. They are usually in the care of the state due to more common allegations of abuse and neglect for which rehabilitative services are being offered to the family. Frequently, children will have been in the system a minimum of 6-12 months, or even much longer, before disclosures and behaviors indicative of ritual abuse surface to an identifiable level.

Unless the allegation has arisen in a day care setting or outside a familial setting, it is the treatment worker who is most likely run across the various “red flags” that point to ritual trauma. This is primarily due to the fact the caseworker is interfacing with all aspects of the child’s placement and treatment and may be given bits and pieces of information concerning the child which, collectively, give rise for greater concern. This can create interesting challenges for a treatment worker whose agency’s plan for reunification is suddenly complicated or thrown off track.

Whenever any signs of ritual trauma arise, it is the duty of the social worker to refer the child and possibly other family members for further evaluation and assessment. Assistance of this nature should be sought from professionals who have some understanding, experience, or expertise in the area of ritual trauma. Otherwise, it is a useless effort and expense on the part of the agency which virtually ensures that the child will be denied timely services which are necessary for his or her full recovery from the trauma. Without significant intervention and treatment, children who

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