Witchcraft Accusation and Harmful Practices Conference
Witchcraft Accusation and Harmful Practices: Professional Responses and Operational Learning
Organised by the NPCC Hydrant Programme Witchcraft, Spirit Possession and Ritualistic Abuse (WSPRA) working group, in partnership with the Lancaster Policing Academic Centre of Excellence (L-PACE)
Lancaster University
22-23 June 2026
Background
This two-day national conference brings together police professionals, academics, policymakers and other practitioners to deepen understanding of emerging and established forms of witchcraft-related abuse, harmful practices, and associated safeguarding challenges.
The event aims to:
- Strengthen operational practice through shared learning and networking
- Disseminate academic research on witchcraft accusation, ritual attacks, and other harmful practices
- Highlight the work of national and international organisations, including WRSPA working group, and the International Network Against Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks (INAWARA)
- Promote cross-sector collaboration to improve identification, investigation, and protection in cases involving witchcraft accusations and harmful practices
- Raise awareness of UN Resolution 47/8 on the Elimination of Harmful Practices Related to Belief in Witchcraft, and its implementation
Purpose and Objectives
The conference is aimed at those in strategic roles, within policing and from partner agencies. The audience will include members from government departments, law enforcement bodies, statutory safeguarding partners, and third sector organisations.
The target audience reflects an ambition to promote a more strategic and collaborative approach to witchcraft accusation and associated harmful practices.
Speaker list
Keynote speakers:
- Muluka-Anne Miti Drummond (UN Independent Expert on the Rights of Persons with Albinism)
- Stephen Morris
- Professor Michael Salter (Director, Childlight (East Asia and Pacific) University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia)
Invited speakers:
- Dr Jobair Alam (Staffordshire University)
- Professor Charlotte Baker (Lancaster University)
- Dr Leethen Bartholomew
- Dr Kim Bond (NAPAC)
- Kate Bridger (WSPRA)
- Inspector Allen Davis
- Richard Fewkes (NPCC Hydrant)
- Professor Miranda Forsyth (ANU)
- Gabrielle Shaw (NAPAC)
- Dr Keith Silika (Salford University)
- Rohma Ullah (Barnardos)
Promotion and media
Throughout the conference images and film will be taken by our team for use in various communications and on our social media channels. If you have any concerns, or do not wish to be photographed or filmed please email Charlotte Baker [email protected]