WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF RITUAL ABUSE IN CHILDREN ANDADULTS?
Most symptoms are non-specific to ritual abuse. Trauma is trauma, andphysical and sexual abuse are physical and sexual abuse. Because theabuse is so severe, the symptoms may be especially severe andrecalcitrant. Symptoms that are suggestive of ritual abuse are either a fascinationwith or a phobia of objects, events, or symbols specific to ritualabuse and not generally encountered in other types of physical andsexual abuse. Examples of symbols include crosses, crucifixes,pentagrams (stars), eyes, “magick” and “occult” symbols, certainnumbers, and certain colors. Objects provoking fascination or phobiacan include blood, knives, electricity, coffins, dolls, babies, andcertain animals. Events similar to abusive events may also provoke extreme reactions.These include the holidays observed by the cult, medical and dentalprocedures, and child birth or abortion.
