|
|
The |
|
A new group set up to counter
ritual abuse and satanic worship has applied for almost $40,000 from the
Government and the Lottery Grants Board to set up an office and send members
to a conference in the End Ritual Abuse (ERA) was started
by a Alison defines ritual abuse as
organised physical, sexual and psychological assaults of child and adult
victims, characterised by torture and mind control. She alleges her son, then aged
between 3 and 5, was splattered in blood and buried alive in a coffin during
his time at the Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre. His artwork now is dark and
demonic and obsessed with death. Alison claims also to have spoken
to at least six adult survivors of ritual abuse from "Ritual abuse is prevalent
here in "It's a very new concept to
the public, even though it's been happening for generations." Asked to pinpoint the whereabouts
of practising ritual abusers, Alison said: "I don't know (where) the
cults are. I don't even know if the police know that." ERA became an incorporated society
on September 28 to enable the group to pitch for public money. The required
15 signatories include other parents who had children cared for by Ellis at
the Civic creche, two counsellors, a psychologist, a lecturer and a
journalist. A three-monthly ERA newsletter
goes to 120 people, including 50 counsellors and some social workers. ERA has asked for money from three
sources: $20,000 fnom the Lottery Grants
Board, to establish an inner city office, buy a computer and facsimile, and
pay a full-time ritual abuse worker $150 a week. $5000 from Healthlink South's child
and family health division, to buy books, videos, audio tapes and print
pamphlets for a ritual abuse resource library. $6000 from an Internal Affairs
discretionary fund, to send two ERA members to a ritual abuse conference in The long-term aim of the group is
to see ritual abuse recognised in law. "We want acknowledgement in
legislation that ritual abuse occurs and that it's a hideous crime,"
Alison said. "I'm hoping and praying we'll
get the funding. If we don't, I'll figure it's too soon." But New Zealand Skeptics spokesman
Dr Denis Dutton, a vocal critic of ritual abuse believers, slammed ERA'S bid
for public money. "I'm sure the Lottery Grants
Board would not be so foolish as to support something as whacky as ritual
abuse theories. If they do, they can expect UFO abductees to be next in the
queue for money. (ERA is) promoting something which has been thoroughly
discredited." A decision from the Lottery Grants
Board is expected next month. |
