Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 8, No. 2, 1991, Page 92
interjected, however, the recommended actions tend to defeat the interests of law
enforcement agencies, schools, therapists, and society in general.
Recommendation: That the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services develop
a model curriculum addressing ritual crime for Virginia’s law enforcement officers.
DCJS should develop a standard curriculum in aid of law enforcement officers that could be
utilized on a statewide basis to enhance awareness of ritualistic crime and to suggest
appropriate responses to it. This would provide a uniform source of information in lieu of the
multitude of diverse, often conflicting, and sometimes irrelevant information disseminated by
training courses and seminars given throughout the state by numerous organizations and
interest groups. Assistance of Crime Commission staff in development of this curriculum
should be sought where practical and necessary. Appropriate subjects to be addressed
include:
*Constitutional prerogatives relating to the right to assemble and to engage in the peaceful
practice of religious beliefs where such beliefs do not abridge neutral criminal statutes.
*Sections within Title 18.2 of the Code of Virginia that address commonly alleged ritual
crimes but with which many law enforcement officers may be unfamiliar. (Examples
include sections 18.2-403.1(1), 18.2-403.2(3), 3.1-796.113, 3.1-796.122, 18.2-97, 18.2-
125, 18.2-126, 18.2-127, 18.2-138, 18.2-144, 18.2-323.)
*The need to maintain normal techniques and standards in the investigation and
prosecution of allegations involving ritual crime.
*The type of specific evidence at crime scenes that may suggest ritual activity.
Recommendation: That the Crime Commission’s continued research on youth gangs
be tracked and reviewed for findings and ultimate recommendations.
The forming of gangs by young people for purposes of pursuing criminal objectives needs to
be addressed in unique fashion. The on-going study on youth gang activity by the Crime
Commission should yield recommendations that are equally applicable to criminal behavior by
all youth gangs regardless of the motivating philosophy or belief system.
Recommendation: That the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental
Retardation and Substance Abuse Services coordinate continued research efforts
relating to the ramifications of ritual abuse in the mental health field.
Continued research into the relationships between psychological illness and participation in
dangerous ritualistic practices should be encouraged. The limited clinical research findings
presently available, while not substantiating causal links, have established factors that appear
to be associated with dangerous practices and that may aid in the treatment of individuals
who fall prey to these activities. Such research should focus on development of a clearer
understanding of perpetrators of ritualistic practices, evidence of treatable psychological
illness (including Multiple Personality Disorder and related conditions), and the roles that
various agencies may assume in practical intervention. The Virginia Department of Mental
Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services should assume a leading role in
coordinating this continued study of the causes, effects, and treatment of ritual abuse.
Recommendation: That law enforcement personnel act in cooperation with
appropriate agencies in the investigation and prosecution of claims involving ritual
abuse of persons.
As in any case involving allegations of abuse against children, law enforcement interaction
with state and local agencies is necessary. In cases of systematic or on-going abuse effective
prosecution demands a cooperative relationship between investigators on the one hand and
interjected, however, the recommended actions tend to defeat the interests of law
enforcement agencies, schools, therapists, and society in general.
Recommendation: That the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services develop
a model curriculum addressing ritual crime for Virginia’s law enforcement officers.
DCJS should develop a standard curriculum in aid of law enforcement officers that could be
utilized on a statewide basis to enhance awareness of ritualistic crime and to suggest
appropriate responses to it. This would provide a uniform source of information in lieu of the
multitude of diverse, often conflicting, and sometimes irrelevant information disseminated by
training courses and seminars given throughout the state by numerous organizations and
interest groups. Assistance of Crime Commission staff in development of this curriculum
should be sought where practical and necessary. Appropriate subjects to be addressed
include:
*Constitutional prerogatives relating to the right to assemble and to engage in the peaceful
practice of religious beliefs where such beliefs do not abridge neutral criminal statutes.
*Sections within Title 18.2 of the Code of Virginia that address commonly alleged ritual
crimes but with which many law enforcement officers may be unfamiliar. (Examples
include sections 18.2-403.1(1), 18.2-403.2(3), 3.1-796.113, 3.1-796.122, 18.2-97, 18.2-
125, 18.2-126, 18.2-127, 18.2-138, 18.2-144, 18.2-323.)
*The need to maintain normal techniques and standards in the investigation and
prosecution of allegations involving ritual crime.
*The type of specific evidence at crime scenes that may suggest ritual activity.
Recommendation: That the Crime Commission’s continued research on youth gangs
be tracked and reviewed for findings and ultimate recommendations.
The forming of gangs by young people for purposes of pursuing criminal objectives needs to
be addressed in unique fashion. The on-going study on youth gang activity by the Crime
Commission should yield recommendations that are equally applicable to criminal behavior by
all youth gangs regardless of the motivating philosophy or belief system.
Recommendation: That the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental
Retardation and Substance Abuse Services coordinate continued research efforts
relating to the ramifications of ritual abuse in the mental health field.
Continued research into the relationships between psychological illness and participation in
dangerous ritualistic practices should be encouraged. The limited clinical research findings
presently available, while not substantiating causal links, have established factors that appear
to be associated with dangerous practices and that may aid in the treatment of individuals
who fall prey to these activities. Such research should focus on development of a clearer
understanding of perpetrators of ritualistic practices, evidence of treatable psychological
illness (including Multiple Personality Disorder and related conditions), and the roles that
various agencies may assume in practical intervention. The Virginia Department of Mental
Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services should assume a leading role in
coordinating this continued study of the causes, effects, and treatment of ritual abuse.
Recommendation: That law enforcement personnel act in cooperation with
appropriate agencies in the investigation and prosecution of claims involving ritual
abuse of persons.
As in any case involving allegations of abuse against children, law enforcement interaction
with state and local agencies is necessary. In cases of systematic or on-going abuse effective
prosecution demands a cooperative relationship between investigators on the one hand and
