UK Experts Claim ChatGPT Fuels Increase in Reports of ‘Satanic’ Ritual Abuse Cases

Recent insights from UK experts indicate that ChatGPT is playing a role in the increasing reports of organized ritual abuse. Survivors of “satanic” sexual violence are utilizing the AI tool for therapy. This trend raises questions about the intersections of technology and mental health support for those who have experienced trauma.

Law enforcement agencies have highlighted that organized ritual abuse, which encompasses forms of “witchcraft, spirit possession, and spiritual abuse” (WSPRA) against children, is significantly under-reported in the UK. Currently, there is no specific modern-day legal charge that accurately encapsulates this form of abuse. Such offenses are typically characterized by elements of sexual abuse, violence, and neglect, often involving rituals adapted from satanic, fascist, or other esoteric beliefs aimed at controlling victims.

The perpetrators of these heinous acts can range from abusive family units and networks to human traffickers, online gangs, and organized paedophile rings, each exploiting vulnerable children in different ways.

Since 1982, the UK has seen only 14 criminal cases where ritualistic practices in sexual abuse have been formally recognized. However, research conducted in 2025 by clinical psychologist Dr. Elly Hanson suggests that the actual number of incidents is likely far greater, representing merely the “tip of the iceberg.”

In response to these alarming revelations, training programs are being implemented for police forces across the UK. This initiative is spearheaded by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), which has established a specialized working group focused on combating these crimes.

Gabrielle Shaw, the CEO of the National Association of People Abused in Childhood (Napac), noted a “sustained rise” in reported cases of ritual abuse over the last 18 months. A notable aspect of this increase is that numerous individuals have indicated that they were prompted to report their experiences after engaging with AI tools.

Shaw stated, “In the past six months to a year, we’ve received contact from individuals saying, ‘I was referred to you by ChatGPT.’ People are using AI, including ChatGPT, as a form of therapeutic support and exploration. There are mixed feelings regarding this trend, but if it leads individuals to seek help, it can be viewed as a positive development.

“Typically, we observe spikes in calls around dates with significant supernatural or religious undertones, but this current trend is not merely a temporary spike; it’s a sustained increase. This trend reflects a growing awareness of the crime and knowledge about available support systems… references to satanism are increasingly common.”

The NPCC, Napac, and the Hydrant policing program, which assists law enforcement agencies nationwide in child protection efforts, commissioned a review by Dr. Hanson last year. A briefing focused on WSPRA for professionals has recently been launched, emphasizing the necessity for education in understanding and addressing these issues.

Last year, a group of individuals in Scotland who were part of a paedophile ring and masqueraded as witches and wizards received prison sentences for their sexual crimes.

Shaw provided data, stating that out of 36,700 calls received by NAPAC over the past nine years, 1,310 explicitly mentioned organized ritual abuse. This data suggests that the nature of offending could be “intergenerational” and identified by survivors as being perpetrated not only by men but also by female relatives, including “grandmothers and aunts.”

Richard Fewkes, the director of the Hydrant Programme, highlighted that the fantastical elements associated with ritual abuse have contributed to a justice gap, creating an environment where such abuse is often dismissed or not taken seriously.

He stated, “There is a critical need for improvements across the system in addressing these complex issues. This abuse exists, yet it frequently goes unreported to law enforcement… we’ve been aware of these situations for many years.”

Dr. Hanson addressed the broader societal implications, indicating that victims frequently grow up in “regimes of cruelty.” She noted that the truth about these abuses often gets obscured between a “discourse of disbelief” on one side and “conspiracy fictions” on the other.

Furthermore, she added, “This abuse is not isolated to specific cultures. It is primarily occurring within white British families, often from privileged backgrounds, which challenges conventional stereotypes about its origins.”