Traffickers lure their victims into rituals in which samples of their blood, teeth, hair and nail clippings are mixed with other “magical” ingredients, according to former prostitutes ensnared by witchcraft.
Victims are told the rituals will protect them on their way to a better life in Britain. They are later forced into prostitution and told the spells will kill them if they try to escape.
They may also be threatened that breaking the witchcraft oaths will make spirits harm members of their families. The practice is “juju”, a form of voodoo black magic in Nigeria, where such rituals still exert strong influence.
Dr Michael Korzinski, a counsellor with the Helen Bamber Foundation, a charity helping victims of torture, said: “This is a lethal combination of criminal networks and so-called juju priests.” The charity, funded entirely by donations, has dealt with about 30 women who say they were subjected to juju curses.
“The girl’s own bodily fluids, her pubic hair and nail shavings are used,” said Korzinski. “A whole variety of things are used to create this potion that they are then forced to drink or spread on their bodies. It can happen in the country of origin and it can happen in the UK.”
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