Mardoche Yembi
Mardoche works as a prominent advocate against faith-based and ritualistic child abuse in the UK, collaborating with charities like Barnardo's and speaking out to protect vulnerable children.
Mardoche Yembi
Mardoche works as a prominent advocate against faith-based and ritualistic child abuse in the UK, collaborating with charities like Barnardo's and speaking out to protect vulnerable children.
Mardoche Yembi
Mardoche works as a prominent advocate against faith-based and ritualistic child abuse in the UK, collaborating with charities like Barnardo's and speaking out to protect vulnerable children.
About Me
I was born in a small village in Congo to one of seven children. When I was eight years old my mother died during childbirth. My father sent me to London with his brother's wife. I was sad to leave my village. I lived in Finsbury Park with my uncle and his wife
When I was 11, my uncles wife started dreaming of spirits chasing her. The pastor accused me of being a witch, "he is possessed by kindoki" (evil spirits). From then on, I suffered terrible abuse at the hands of my relatives. This went on for years.
Social services eventually intervened but they didn't understand what Kindoki was. This made it very difficult for me to get help - I was very conflicted because I didn't trust authorities. My dad had told me to trust my family more than anyone in the UK.
One day, due to my behaviour, the police started getting involved and I was sent for psychiatric evaluation on Holloway Road. I finally started talking. The translator was from Congo so believed me but the doctor didn't, she was in shock. I spent 6 months in a mental health institution and then I was sent back to my family at weekends. The abuse continued every time I visited. The authorities realised it was dangerous for me to go home, and I was adopted by a kind foster carer who I stayed with until I was an adult.
I never saw my family again.
I have made this film about my story to educate people and raise awareness about witchcraft abuse.
There are tens of thousands of children in the UK accused of being a witch and suffering in silence because people don't understand the signs or how to get help. 14,000 cases have been recorded.
The actual number is far far higher as people don't know how to speak up and get the support they need.
About me
About me
I was born in a small village in Congo to one of seven children. When I was eight years old my mother died during childbirth. My father sent me to London with his brother's wife. I was sad to leave my village. I lived in Finsbury Park with my uncle and his wife
I was born in a small village in Congo to one of seven children. When I was eight years old my mother died during childbirth. My father sent me to London with his brother's wife. I was sad to leave my village. I lived in Finsbury Park with my uncle and his wife
When I was 11, my uncles wife started dreaming of spirits chasing her. The pastor accused me of being a witch, "he is possessed by kindoki" (evil spirits). From then on, I suffered terrible abuse at the hands of my relatives. This went on for years.
Social services eventually intervened but they didn't understand what Kindoki was. This made it very difficult for me to get help - I was very conflicted because I didn't trust authorities. My dad had told me to trust my family more than anyone in the UK.
One day, due to my behaviour, the police started getting involved and I was sent for psychiatric evaluation on Holloway Road. I finally started talking. The translator was from Congo so believed me but the doctor didn't, she was in shock. I spent 6 months in a mental health institution and then I was sent back to my family at weekends. The abuse continued every time I visited. The authorities realised it was dangerous for me to go home, and I was adopted by a kind foster carer who I stayed with until I was an adult.
I never saw my family again.
When I was 11, my uncles wife started dreaming of spirits chasing her. The pastor accused me of being a witch, "he is possessed by kindoki" (evil spirits). From then on, I suffered terrible abuse at the hands of my relatives. This went on for years.
Mardoche, his foster Mum & Jeriah (actor)
I have made this film about my story to educate people and raise awareness about witchcraft abuse.
There are tens of thousands of children in the UK accused of being a witch and suffering in silence because people don't understand the signs or how to get help. 14,000 cases have been recorded.
The actual number is far far higher as people don't know how to speak up and get the support they need.
Social services eventually intervened but they didn't understand what Kindoki was. This made it very difficult for me to get help - I was very conflicted because I didn't trust authorities. My dad had told me to trust my family more than anyone in the UK.
One day, due to my behaviour, the police started getting involved and I was sent for psychiatric evaluation on Holloway Road. I finally started talking.
The translator was from Congo so believed me but the doctor didn't, she was in shock. I spent 6 months in a mental health institution and then I was sent back to my family at weekends. The abuse continued every time I visited. The authorities realised it was dangerous for me to go home, and I was adopted by a kind foster carer who I stayed with until I was an adult.
I never saw my family again.
I have made this film about my story to educate people and raise awareness about witchcraft abuse.
There are tens of thousands of children in the UK accused of being a witch and suffering in silence because people don't understand the signs or how to get help. 14,000 cases have been recorded.
The actual number is far far higher as people don't know how to speak up and get the support they need.
