What happens when spiritual beliefs are used to justify harm against children in the United States? In this episode, Josh Hutchinson, Sarah Jack, and guest host Mary Bingham explore Spiritual and Ritual Abuse, known as SARA, and why it remains a largely unrecognized crisis in American communities. The team examines how belief-driven violence crosses every demographic and faith background, discusses the landmark case of 3-year-old Arely Procter, and raises critical questions about accountability when religious freedom is invoked as a legal defense.

What Spiritual and Ritual Abuse (SARA) is and how international bodies define it
How SARA manifests in the United States across faiths, communities, and demographics
Why cases of belief-driven child abuse often go unrecognized or are prosecuted without acknowledging the spiritual motivations behind them
How familiar cases like Elizabeth Smart and Ruby Franke fall under the SARA umbrella
The story of Arely Procter and the ongoing legal proceedings in Santa Clara County, California
What the Racial Justice Act of 2020 is and how it is being used in Arely's case
Why the United States lacks a centralized system for monitoring spiritual abuse-and what End Witch Hunts is doing about it
What research tells us about the prevalence of supernatural beliefs in America

Mary Bingham is a director of End Witch Hunts and a researcher focused on spiritual and ritual abuse cases spanning historical witch trials through present-day prosecutions. Her case research and victim profiles are available on the Sarah Wildes 1692 YouTube channel, including a dedicated playlist for World Day Against Witch Hunts 2025.

SARA (Spiritual and Ritual Abuse): Abuse where an offender uses spiritual, superstitious, or traditional beliefs to justify harming others, or uses a victim's own beliefs to manipulate and control them.
Harmful Traditional Practices: The United Nations' terminology for practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks, reported in at least 60 nations.
Racial Justice Act of 2020 (California): Legislation ensuring that racial, ethnic, or national origin does not influence criminal investigations intentionally or unintentionally.

National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233)

National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 855-812-1001 or text START to 88788.

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: Call or text 800-422-4453.

If you are experiencing spiritual or ritual abuse in the home, trained advocates are available around the clock.

Hosts: Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack Guest Host: Mary Bingham Produced by: End Witch Hunts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

New episodes weekly. Available wherever you listen to podcasts. The Thing About Witch Hunts has been heard in 100+ countries worldwide.

Links

End Witch Hunts Project: End Spiritual and Ritual Abuse

SARA Cases YouTube Playlist

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Podcast Episode: Jordan Alexander Discusses Spiritual and Ritual Abuse

Podcast Episode: Witchcraft Beliefs Around the World with Boris Gershman

Article by Mary Bingham: Witch Hunting from Salem to San Jose: Dorothy Good and Arely Proctor

Article by Mary Bingham: The Psychology Behind Witchcraft Accusations

Law & Crime Network YouTube Video on Arely Proctor Racial Justice Act Defense https://youtu.be/4DJnPgnRVmY?si=8zSMLDGpT0hLw-YL