ChatGPT Driving Surge in Reports of Satanic Organised Ritual Abuse, UK Authorities Warn
Experts in the United Kingdom have identified a concerning trend: the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT is contributing to a significant rise in reports of organised ritual abuse. Survivors of what is often described as "satanic" sexual violence are increasingly turning to the AI platform for therapeutic support and exploration, leading to heightened awareness and disclosure of these crimes.
Under-Reported Crimes with Ritualistic Elements
Police officials emphasise that organised ritual abuse, along with offences categorised as "witchcraft, spirit possession and spiritual abuse" (WSPRA), remains severely under-reported across the UK. While there is no specific modern legal charge for such acts, the offending typically involves sexual abuse, violence, and neglect intertwined with ritualistic practices. These rituals are sometimes inspired by satanism, fascism, or esoteric religious beliefs, serving as mechanisms to control and intimidate victims.
Perpetrators of these crimes span a range of groups, including abusive families and networks, human traffickers, online gangs, and paedophile rings. Since 1982, there have been only 14 criminal cases in the UK where ritualistic elements in sexual abuse were formally 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.
AI as a Gateway to Support and Reporting
Gabrielle Shaw, CEO of the National Association of People Abused in Childhood (Napac), has observed a "sustained rise" in reports of ritual abuse over the past 18 months. Notably, an increasing number of individuals are attributing their decision to come forward to interactions with AI. Shaw explained, "Over the last six months to a year, we're getting people contacting the Napac support line saying: 'I was referred to you by ChatGPT'. People are using AI, ChatGPT as a form of therapy and exploration. There are mixed feelings about that, but if it's a route into support, that has to be a good thing."
She further noted that while calls typically spike around dates with supernatural or religious significance, the current increase is consistent and ongoing. Shaw added, "There's increasing knowledge of the crime and of where you can get support ... satanism does come up a fair bit."
Systemic Efforts to Address the Justice Gap
In response to these developments, authorities are implementing targeted training programmes for police forces. This initiative is spearheaded by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), which has established a specialist working group dedicated to the issue. Additionally, the NPCC, 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.
Richard Fewkes, Director of the Hydrant Programme, highlighted the challenges in addressing these crimes, stating that the "fantastical" nature of ritual elements has contributed to a significant justice gap. He asserted, "We need to improve right the way across the system in dealing with it – it's out there, it does exist and it's not actually being reported (to police) ... we've known about this for many, many years."
Demographics and Misconceptions
Dr Hanson provided crucial insights into the demographics of these abuses, dispelling common stereotypes. She explained that victims often grow up in "regimes of cruelty," but the truth is frequently obscured between a "discourse of disbelief" and "conspiracy fictions." Hanson clarified, "We're not seeing this abuse happening in particular cultures rather than others. This is something we're seeing happening within white British, often privileged families. It's not conforming to any stereotypes about where it might be."
Supporting this, Shaw revealed that out of 36,700 calls to Napac over nine years, 1,310 mentioned organised ritual abuse. She noted that the offending can be "intergenerational in nature," with perpetrators predominantly male, though survivors have also named "grandmothers and aunts" as involved.
The urgency of addressing these crimes was underscored by a recent case in Scotland, where members of a paedophile ring posing as witches and wizards were jailed for sexual offences. As AI tools like ChatGPT continue to facilitate disclosures, experts stress the need for enhanced police training, public awareness, and support systems to combat this hidden epidemic effectively.
