Ritualistic and Spiritual Abuse Training

Recognising and Responding to Coercion, Exploitation, and Abuse in Religious and Ritual Contexts

Course Overview

Ritualistic and spiritual abuse can have profound, lasting effects on survivors. This specialist training equips professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to recognise the signs, understand the impact, and provide appropriate support to individuals affected by these forms of abuse.

Using insights from survivor experiences and trauma research, this training explores the dynamics of coercive control, manipulation, and exploitation in religious, spiritual, and ritual contexts. It also provides guidance on best practices for safeguarding and survivor support.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will:

Understand the definitions, patterns, and prevalence of ritualistic and spiritual abuse.
Recognise the psychological, emotional, and physical impact on survivors.
Learn to identify signs of coercion, indoctrination, and spiritual manipulation.
Develop trauma-informed approaches for responding to disclosures and survivor needs.
Explore legal and safeguarding frameworks relevant to spiritual and ritual abuse cases.

Testimonials

Our trainings have an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.

'Great training. I was impressed by the facilitator’s knowledge on the topic. He clearly knew his stuff, and this was evident in his delivery. I appreciated his attention to everyone in the group and offering us a space to talk.'

'I'm very glad that I attended this valuable training. It has helped me to develop a deeper understanding of the issues. The presenter was particularly good with pacing the session and presenting clear explanations with a great deal of empathy.'

'I found the clarity of separating out vicarious traumatisation from burn out really helpful, as well as taking the time to think and plan around self-care.'

"The presenter spoke very well and was very articulate. She had excellent knowledge intermingled with humour that kept my attention during a long session. She made me think deeply about people's trauma."

"Presenter was very knowledgeable, showed passion, delivered in a way that was engaging. Really well presented and relevant to the role and us personally"

Who Is This Course For?

This training is designed for professionals working with survivors or at risk populations, including:

Safeguarding teams and social care professionals
Legal professionals and law enforcement
Legal professionals and law enforcement
Mental health practitioners and counsellors
Charity and NGO staff supporting abuse survivors
Educators and faith-based organisations
Healthcare professionals

Delivery Methods

We offer flexible delivery options to suit your needs:

In-Person Workshops – On-site training at your organisation or a NAPAC venue.
Live Online Training – Interactive virtual sessions with expert facilitators.
Custom Training Packages – Tailored solutions for teams with specific needs.

Certification

Participants receive a NAPAC Ritualistic and Spiritual Abuse Training Certificate, demonstrating their knowledge.

We also offer CPD (Continued Professional Development) certification, with the number of hours reflecting the duration of the training attended.

Pricing

Please contact us for information about our pricing.

For optimal interactivity, we recommend up to 35 participants per session. Larger groups can be accommodated in a seminar-style format.

Contact

If you’re interested in NAPAC’s training or have any questions, please fill out the form below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. You can also contact us directly at training@napac.org.uk.

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The National Association For People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) © is a Registered Charity in England and Wales.
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