Afleveringen
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This International Women's Day, we revisit the story of Arminda de Jesus, a 32-year-old mother accused of witchcraft in 1933 Portugal. Through our interview with Dr. Inês Tadeu from the University of Madeira, we present the historical facts of this little-known case from the village of Soalhães. Dr. Tadeu's research through trial records and newspaper accounts provides context for understanding how witchcraft accusations persisted into the 20th century. Arminda's case, occurring just 22 years after the first International Women's Day, illustrates the ongoing threat faced by women accused of witchcraft globally.
Content warning: Contains descriptions of violence.
International Women’s Day
Witch Hunt Episode: Witchcraft Accusations and Gender Inequality with Dr. Samantha Spence
Witch Hunt Episode: Women and Witch Trials with Ann Little
Maryland House Joint Resolution 2
MD Witch Exoneration Project Website
Sign the Maryland Petition
Sign the Massachusetts Petition
Connecticut Exoneration Written Testimony
Witch Hunt podcast
Contribute to End Witch Hunts
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Join us for an informative International Women's Day 2025 episode where we explore this year's theme: "Accelerate Action." We're shining a light on a global crisis often hidden from headlines - women and girls being accused of witchcraft, subjected to violence, exiled from their communities, and even killed.
Discover how International Women's Day initiatives have already made tangible progress in combating these human rights violations. Since launching our podcast in 2022, we've covered heartbreaking realities affecting women worldwide, and today we'll connect the core meaning of International Women's Day directly to ongoing advocacy efforts against modern witchcraft accusations.
This episode provides essential information to help you connect and amplify your voice for change. Join us to discover the power of collective action and how International Women's Day is still accelerating progress for vulnerable women across the globe.
#InternationalWomensDay #WomenEmpowerment #GenderEquality #HumanRights #WitchHuntPodcast #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction
International Women’s Day
Witch Hunt Episode: Witchcraft Accusations and Gender Inequality with Dr. Samantha Spence
Witch Hunt Episode: Women and Witch Trials with Ann Little
Maryland House Joint Resolution 2
MD Witch Exoneration Project Website
Sign the Maryland Petition
Sign the Massachusetts Petition
Connecticut Exoneration Written Testimony
Witch Hunt podcast
Contribute to End Witch Hunts
Sign up for our Newsletter
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Professor and author Jane Barnette from the University of Kansas joins us for a discussion on how witch trial narratives continue to influence our cultural understanding.
She shares about her groundbreaking production of Kimberly Bellflower's "John Procter is the Villain" - a contemporary play that boldly reexamines "The Crucible" through the lens of #MeToo, premiering at the University of Kansas just days before its Broadway debut.
“John Procter is the Villain" considers Arthur Miller's messaging in "The Crucible," examining how Miller's fictional recreations of historical figures like John Proctor and Abigail Williams have shaped public perception of the Salem trials, often at the expense of historical accuracy. Consider with us, how theatrical reinterpretation can help reclaim silenced voices and how the term "witch hunt" has evolved in contemporary discourse.
Theater serves as a powerful medium for confronting and transforming our understanding of the past and modern society. Witch Hunt podcast examines historical witch trials and their continuing impact on society through conversations with experts, descendants, and advocates for justice.
JaneBarnette.com
Buy Witch Fulfillment: Adaptation Dramaturgy and Casting the Witch for Stage and Screen by Jane Barnette
Want more Jane Barnette? Listen to Podcast Episode: Witchcraft and Stagecraft: Unmasking Wicked’s Magic with Paul Laird and Jane Barnette
Maryland House Joint Resolution 2
MD Witch Exoneration Project Website
Sign the Maryland Petition
Sign the Massachusetts Petition
Connecticut Exoneration Written Testimony
Witch Hunt podcast
Contribute to End Witch Hunts
Sign up for our Newsletter -
Learn about stigmata and exorcisms with an in-depth conversation with historian Kristof Smeyers, a leading expert on the history of science, religion, and magic during the 19th and 20th centuries. The discussion begins with Kristof's extensive research on stigmata, exploring the complex phenomenon of the wounds of Christ appearing on people's bodies. Kristof delves into notable historical cases, such as those of medieval stigmatics including St. Francis of Assisi, and contrasts them with lesser-known instances in Britain and Ireland in the 19th and 20th centuries. As the conversation progresses, Kristof discusses the varying perceptions and practices of exorcism among priests and laypeople, and the role of the church in both supporting and quietly adapting to alternative exorcism methods. Kristof recounts historical cases of exorcisms, including tragic instances.
Witch Hunt podcast website
End Witch Hunts
Support Us! Shop Our Bookshop
Sign the Maryland Petition
Sign the Massachusetts Petition
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Supernatural Bodies: Stigmata in Modern Britain and Ireland
Wounds of Christ: Macabre History of Stigmata
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Witchcraft and sorcery accusations continue to plague our world in the 21st century. Join us as we explore the complex issue of sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV) in Papua New Guinea through the lens of Anton Lutz, a human rights defender working directly with affected communities. Drawing from his extensive experience living in PNG and developing educational initiatives, Lutz provides insight into how these accusations unfold within a nation of over 800 distinct cultural groups. The discussion examines the recent intensification of violence, its impact on communities, and the cultural and religious factors that contribute to these situations. Lutz shares his perspective on current intervention strategies and the ongoing work to protect vulnerable individuals while respecting PNG's rich cultural heritage.
Stop Sorcery Violence in PNG
Sorcery National Action Plan
The International Network
Fighting the Wildfire of SARV
End Witch Hunts
Support Us! Shop Our Bookshop
Donate to the Connecticut Witch Trial Victims Memorial Fund
Sign the Maryland Petition
Sign the Massachusetts Petition
Contribute to End Witch Hunts
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Remembering the Innocent Victims of Connecticut’s Witch Trials was a first-of-its-kind tribute held in Hartford, Connecticut on February 1, 2025. This special episode recaps the event, which was a celebration of the recent exoneration of those accused and a remembrance of the victims. It was held at the Old State House, a former seat of the state government, and was attended by community members, descendants, historians, and teachers.
The event featured a variety of activities, including a play, a panel discussion, a remembrance ceremony, and the announcement of a memorial project. The play, "The Last Night", tells the story of the last night that Rebecca Greensmith and Mary Barnes spent in jail. The panel discussion featured Senator Anwar, Representative Garibay, Dr. Ross, Mary Bingham, Tony Griego, and Beth Caruso. The remembrance ceremony was led by Sherry Kuiper, a descendant of Alice Young.
The memorial project is still in the planning stages, but it is hoped that it will be a place where descendants and others can visit and pay their respects. The event also included a field trip to the Ancient Burying Ground, where flowers were laid on memorial bricks that have been placed there for Alice Young, Mary Sanford, and Mary Barnes. The hosts discussed the importance of education and the ongoing fight against witch hunts. The episode ends with a call to action for listeners to support the memorial fund.
Donate to the Connecticut Witch Trial Victims Memorial Fund
Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project
Witch Hunt podcast
End Witch Hunts
Massachusetts Witch Hunt Justice Project
Sign Our Massachusetts Justice Petition
Sign the Maryland Exoneration Petition
Support Us! Shop Our Bookshop
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How did geography shape the Salem Witch Trials?
Join returning guest, author, and Salem Witch Trials expert Marilynne K. Roach as she maps the physical landscape of colonial Massachusetts where witch accusations spread in 1692. From the newly identified execution site at Procter's Ledge to the tense boundary between Salem Village and Salem Tow. Discover if property disputes and travel routes fueled America's most notorious witch hunt. Through modern research and historical maps, uncover why location mattered in this dark chapter of New England history.
Records of the Salem Witch Hunt by Bernard Rosenthal
The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege by Marilynne K. Roach
Six Women of Salem: The Untold Story of the Accused and Their Accusers in the Salem Witch Trials by Marilynne K. Roach
Purchase Button: Massachusetts Witch Hunt Justice Project
End Witch Hunts
Massachusetts Witch Hunt Justice Project
Sign Our Justice Petition
Support Us! Shop Our Bookshop
Donate to the Connecticut Witch Trial Victims Memorial Fund
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In this special bonus episode of Witch Hunt podcast, hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack announce a groundbreaking commemoration of Connecticut's witch trial history. The event, "Remembering the Innocent Victims of Connecticut's Witch Trials," marks the first official recognition following the 2023 legislative resolution that absolved those accused of witchcraft in colonial Connecticut.
The hosts paint a compelling picture of the upcoming event, scheduled for February 1st, 2025, at Connecticut's Old State House in Hartford. What makes this gathering particularly significant is its comprehensive approach to examining this dark chapter of colonial history. The event brings together an impressive array of voices: from the legislators who championed the 2023 exoneration resolution - Representative Jane Garibay and Senator Saud Anwar - to distinguished historians Dr. Katherine Hermes and Dr. Richard S. Ross III.
The program weaves together academic insight with emotional resonance through several key elements: a dramatic reading titled "The Last Night" imagining the final hours of Rebecca Greensmith and Mary Barnes, a formal remembrance ceremony led by the Associated Daughters of Early American Witches, and weather permitting, a visit to the Ancient Burying Ground where memorial bricks honor some of the accused.
Throughout the episode, Josh and Sarah provide crucial historical context: Connecticut's witch trials, spanning from 1647 to 1742, resulted in at least 51 accusations and 11 executions - more than Massachusetts had before Salem. They emphasize that Alice Young of Windsor's execution in 1647 marked the first known colonial execution for witchcraft, setting a tragic precedent.
What's particularly moving about this episode is how it connects historical injustice to contemporary advocacy. The hosts, through their nonprofit End Witch Hunts, frame this commemoration not just as a historical memorial but as part of ongoing efforts to address witch hunt violence globally. They detail the distinction between exoneration and pardon, emphasizing how the 2023 resolution specifically "absolved" the accused, affirming their complete innocence.
The episode concludes with a powerful recitation of the names of all known accused, spanning nearly a century of accusations - a sobering reminder of the human cost of these trials and the importance of remembering their stories.
This special announcement episode effectively bridges historical scholarship with contemporary relevance, inviting listeners to participate in this significant moment of public history and collective remembrance.
Sign the Petition to Support Maryland Witch Trials Exoneration
Sign the Petition to Support Boston Witch Trials Exoneration
Free Ticket for February 1st Remembering the Innocent Victims of the Connecticut Witch Trials
Learn about Remembering the Innocent Victims of the Connecticut Witch Trials
Visit Witch Hunt on the web
Make a Donation to End Witch Hunts Nonprofit
Support our GoFundMe for Magic & Witchcraft Conference 2025
Buy Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt
Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County
Learn about witch hunts happening now
Learn about the Massachusetts Witch Trials
Learn about the Connecticut Witch Trials
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In this illuminating conversation, Kacey Baker, host of The Cult Vault podcast, shares her journey from lockdown podcaster to advocate and expert in coercive control. What began as a way to stay mentally stimulated during COVID isolation while caring for her newborn has evolved into nearly 400 episodes featuring survivor stories and in-depth discussions about cults and coercive control. Baker recently completed her master's degree in the psychology of coercive control, bringing academic rigor to her growing expertise in the field.
Throughout the episode, Baker discusses how her understanding of cult dynamics and coercive control has transformed through years of interviewing survivors. She candidly acknowledges her own past misconceptions about people who join cults or remain in abusive relationships, explaining how direct conversations with survivors helped reshape her perspective. A key insight from her work is recognizing how coercive control manifests across various contexts - from cults to domestic relationships, military training, workplace abuse, and human trafficking.
Baker provides valuable information about current legislation around coercive control, particularly focusing on the UK's Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act (2015). While this law criminalizes coercive control in domestic settings, she explains its limitations in addressing group contexts like cults. She discusses ongoing efforts through organizations like The Family Survival Trust and the National Working Group of Spiritual and Ritual Abuse to expand this legislation's scope.
The conversation delves into Baker's thoughtful approach to interviewing survivors, emphasizing ethical storytelling and the importance of avoiding re-traumatization. She explains how most guests reach out to her independently, and she offers various options to protect their identities, including the use of pseudonyms and careful omission of identifying details.
Baker also shares insights from her recent participation in a conference about spiritual and ritual abuse, describing the powerful experience of being among professionals who deeply understand coercive control's cross-contextual nature. She discusses her role at CrimeCon events, where she often invites survivors to speak alongside her, ensuring their voices remain central to discussions about cult experiences.
The episode concludes with Baker's reflections on how personal interest can evolve into meaningful advocacy work. Her journey demonstrates how taking time to understand complex issues with compassion and curiosity can lead to significant positive change, both personally and societally.
This episode contains discussions of psychological abuse, coercive control, and related topics that some listeners may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.
The Cult Vault podcast: https://www.cultvaultpodcast.com/
Sign the Petition to Support Maryland Witch Trials Exoneration: www.change.org/MDwitchtrials
Sign the Petition to Support Boston Witch Trials Exoneration: https://change/org/witchtrials
Free Ticket for February 1st Remembering the Innocent Victims of the Connecticut Witch Trials: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hartford-remembering-the-innocent-victims-of-the-connecticut-witch-trials-tickets-1126378742139?aff=oddtdtcreator
Learn about Remembering the Innocent Victims of the Connecticut Witch Trials: https://connecticutwitchtrials.org/remembering-the-innocent-victims-of-the-connecticut-witch-trials/
Visit Witch Hunt on the web: https://witchhuntshow.com
Make a Donation to End Witch Hunts Nonprofit: https://endwitchhunts.org/donate/
Support our GoFundMe for Magic & Witchcraft Conference 2025: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-witch-hunt-attend-magic-witchcraft-conference-2025
Buy Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619
Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County: https://salem.lib.virginia.edu/Essex/index.html
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Between 1542 and 1735, British courts convicted over 3,000 people under witchcraft legislation. Now, author Charlotte Meredith is leading a campaign to secure their pardons. We first met Charlotte at this fall's Witchcraft and Human Rights Conference in Lancaster, where advocates gathered to address both historical and modern witch hunts. Her work is so compelling that we knew we needed to bring this conversation to our listeners. Her "Justice for Witches" campaign gathered over 13,000 signatures, pushing for official recognition of one of Britain's most profound miscarriages of justice. Charlotte details the stark regional differences in witch persecution, explaining why Scotland's execution count was five times that of England, and illuminates how these historical injustices echo in modern witch hunts around the world. Through her careful research and advocacy, Charlotte makes a compelling case for why these historical pardons matter in contemporary society, revealing how patterns of persecution persist from past to present. Join us for a conversation that bridges centuries and shows how historical recognition can help address ongoing human rights violations.
Join the Justice for Witches Campaign
Sign the Petition to Support Maryland Witch Trials Exoneration
Sign the Petition to Support Boston Witch Trials Exoneration
Free Ticket for February 1st Remembering the Innocent Victims of the CT Witch Trials
Make a Donation to End Witch Hunts Nonprofit
Support our GoFundMe for Magic & Witchcraft Conference 2025 -
"Witch Hunt" explores Maryland's forgotten witch trial history through a revealing conversation with attorney Elizabeth Pugliese-Shaw, who's spearheading efforts to exonerate those accused of witchcraft in colonial Maryland. While the colony saw fewer witch trials than its Puritan neighbors, these cases still resulted in tragedy – including the 1685 execution of Rebecca Fowler and the death of Moll Dyer, who froze to death after townspeople drove her from her home.
Pugliese-Shaw discusses how Maryland's unique status as a Catholic colony with religious tolerance laws may have influenced its handling of witch accusations. She shares promising developments in her exoneration campaign, including a pre-filed legislative resolution to posthumously clear the names of Maryland's accused witches.
Through historical records and enduring local legends – including Moll Dyer's story, which later inspired "The Blair Witch Project" – this episode illuminates a lesser-known chapter of colonial American history while examining modern efforts to address historical injustices.
Maryland House Joint Resolution 2
MD Witch Exoneration Project Website
Sign the Maryland Petition
Sign the Massachusetts Petition
Witch Hunt podcast
Contribute to End Witch Hunts
Sign up for our Newsletter
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Explore the fascinating evolution of the concept of the Devil in Western civilization with medieval devil lore expert Dr. Richard Raiswell from the University of Prince Edward Island. Dr. Raiswell reveals how our modern understanding of the devil emerged not only from biblical texts, but through centuries of popular belief and cultural transformation.Discover why the devil has endured, reflecting society's deepest fears across eras - from ancient monasticism to witch hunts, Cold War politics, and contemporary debates. This episode challenges common misconceptions about the devil's biblical origins while tracing his powerful influence on Western thought, religion, and culture.
Keywords: devil, Satan, medieval history, theology, Western culture, witch hunts, Richard Raiswell, religious history, demonology, Christian theology
Richard Raiswell
Devil 2024 Conference
Free Ticket to Connecticut Remembrance Event February 1, 2025
Remembering the Innocent Victims of the Connecticut Witch Trials – Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project
Witch Hunt podcast
Contribute to End Witch Hunts
Sign up for our Newsletter -
Join returning guest historian and researcher Dr. Debora Moretti for a fascinating journey through centuries of Italian folklore as she invites you to get to know La Befana, Italy's beloved Epiphany gift-giver. This beloved figure's dual nature - from benevolent grandmother to harbinger of fortune - has endured through generations of Italian tradition. Dr. Moretti weaves historical insights with personal memories of celebrating La Befana and cherishing this treasured tradition today, sharing stories of ancient Christian origins, regional folklore variations, and time-honored customs like the musical Befanata processions. #ItalianTraditions #ChristmasCulture #Epiphany #Folklore #ItalianHeritage #WinterFestival
Debora Moretti
Free Ticket to Connecticut Remembrance Event February 1, 2025
Remembering the Innocent Victims of the Connecticut Witch Trials – Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project
Listen to Podcast Episode: Italian Witchcraft Trials with Debora Moretti
Buy The Befana is Returning by Steve Siporin
Witch Hunt podcast
Contribute to End Witch Hunts
Sign up for our Newsletter
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Explore the fascinating transformation of Christmas traditions in America, revealing how many of our cherished customs emerged more recently than we might imagine. Examine Christmas celebrations in colonial America, where the holiday bore little resemblance to today's family-centered observance. Through court records and historical accounts, we learn how the Puritans banned Christmas in Massachusetts from 1659 to 1681, troubled by its connections to pre-Christian festivals and its often rowdy, carnival-like atmosphere.
The narrative threads through several compelling historical cases, including a 1679 incident in Salem Village where four young wassailers - including future Salem Witch Trial figures Samuel Braybrook and Joseph Flint - caused significant disruption during their Christmas celebrations. This event illuminates the complex relationships between holiday revelry, social order, and the later witch trials that would shake colonial New England.
Tracing the origins of Christmas customs, hosts Josh and Sarah explore how ancient festivals like Saturnalia and Yule influenced early celebrations, and how Christian leaders strategically absorbed these pre-Christian traditions. Learn how the modern American Christmas largely took shape in the 19th century, with particular attention to the literary creation of Santa Claus by Washington Irving and his circle of writers known as the Knickerbockers. Their work directly influenced Clement Clark Moore's famous poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," which the hosts perform as a special dramatic reading.
The evolution of Christmas trees, gift-giving customs, and holiday decorations receives careful examination, demonstrating how these "timeless" traditions emerged relatively recently as part of a broader transformation of Christmas from a community celebration to a domestic, child-centered holiday.
Throughout the episode, Josh and Sarah weave together scholarly research with engaging storytelling, helping listeners understand how Christmas evolved to reflect changing American values while retaining its power to connect generations through shared celebration. Using primary sources, including court records and period writings, they illuminate how our holiday traditions, though often presented as ancient and unchanging, are dynamic expressions of cultural values that continue to evolve.
Find more episodes and resources at witchhuntshow.com. Follow us on social media @WitchHuntShow for updates and additional content.
Witch Hunt podcast
Remembering the Innocent Victims of the Connecticut Witch Trials
The Battle for Christmas: A Cultural History of America's Most Cherished Holiday by Stephen Nissenbaum
Christmas: A Candid History by Bruce David Forbes
Contribute to End Witch Hunts
Sign up for our Newsletter
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Historian Louis Pulford reveals how a 13th-century religious persecution became the blueprint for centuries of persecution. The Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229) marked the first time the Catholic Church turned its crusading armies inward, targeting the Cathar religious minority in southern France. Pulford, who recently completed his PhD research on firsthand accounts of the crusade, traces how tactics developed during this campaign - from systematic interrogations to public marking of the accused - would later be deployed in witch trials across Europe and colonial America. By understanding how these persecution methods were first developed and refined during the Albigensian Crusade, we gain crucial insight into the mechanics of later witch hunts and how established systems of persecution could be turned against any marginalized group. Join us as we explore this pivotal moment when methods of mass persecution were refined and institutionalized, setting dangerous precedents that would echo through the centuries.
Order from Chaos: Reappraising the Historia Albigensis of Peter of les Vaux-de-Cernay by Louis Pulford
Importance of Heresy
Impact of Heresy
United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 47/8
Study on the situation of the violations and abuses of human rights rooted in harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks, as well as stigmatization
End Witch Hunts
Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project
Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project
Witch Hunt Website
Salem Witch-Hunt Education Project
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On Human Rights Day, December 10th, marking 76 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we explore one of humanity's ongoing challenges: how differences continue to be met with fear, persecution, and violence.
We welcome special guest Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, United Nations Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism, for a critical discussion that epitomizes Human Rights Day 2024. Her vital work documents how harmful practices and ritual attacks continue to threaten the lives of persons with albinism in Africa and globally, challenging the fundamental principles the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created to protect.
Our conversation examines how beliefs that lead to harm continue to target persons with albinism, particularly women and children. Through the framework of United Nations Resolution 47/8 on accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks, we explore how countries worldwide are developing protective measures while respecting cultural contexts.
As we mark International Human Rights Day and its vision of dignity for all people regardless of race, color, religion, abilities, or status, this discussion provides both a sobering look at ongoing human rights challenges and hope through education, awareness, and community engagement. Join this crucial exploration of human rights protection, where harmful practices meet National Action Plans, and learn how global communities are working together to ensure safety and dignity for persons with albinism.
#HumanRightsDay #PersonsWithAlbinism #UnitedNations #HumanRights #AlbinismRights
Resources:
United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 47/8
Study on the situation of the violations and abuses of human rights rooted in harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks, as well as stigmatization
Papua New Guinea Sorcery and Witchcraft Accusation-Related Violence National Action Plan
Pan African Parliament Guidelines for Addressing Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks
IK Ero On Next Steps For Ending Witch Hunts TINAAWAHP
Sierra Leone Association of Persons with Albinism
Sierra Leone Association of Persons with Albinism Facebook Page
Pro Victimis
Medical Assistance Sierra Leone
End Witch Hunts
Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project
Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project
Salem Witch-Hunt Education Project
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Join us for an exciting collaboration as Witch Hunt meets Witches of Scotland in this special crossover episode. Hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack sit down with Zoe Venditozzi and Claire Mitchell to explore the parallel paths of witch trial justice advocacy across the Atlantic. From Connecticut to Scotland, discover how these podcasters are working to right historical wrongs while preventing modern-day witch hunts. Key topics include contrasts between American and Scottish witch trial histories, the unique challenges of tracing witch trial ancestry in different cultures, Dorothy Good's heartbreaking story: imprisoned at age 4 in Salem, current advocacy efforts for exoneration and remembrance, and modern witch hunt phenomena and their global impact. The discussion also features Connecticut's witch trial history and recent exoneration efforts, Scotland's unique legal framework for addressing historical injustices, the challenges of creating memorials in both countries, modern-day witch hunts and their global prevalence, and the role of gender in historical and contemporary witch accusations.
## Resources Mentioned
- Petition to clear the names of those convicted of witchcraft in Massachusetts
- Connecticut Witch Hunt Exoneration Project
- Massachusetts Witch Hunt Justice Project
- Witches of Scotland podcast
- Scottish Parliament consultation on witch trial pardons
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Explore the pressing global challenge of modern witch hunts with Kirsty Brimelow KC, one of Britain's leading human rights barristers and incoming vice chair of the Bar Council. Drawing parallels between harmful traditional practices worldwide, Brimelow shares insights from her groundbreaking work developing protection orders and contributing to the 2021 United Nations resolution on witch hunting and ritual attacks.
Content Warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and violence related to witchcraft accusations.
Brimelow shares expert insights on developing effective community engagement strategies while respecting cultural sensitivities. She demonstrates how fear and deeply held beliefs can trigger accusations, illustrating her points with compelling examples from her extensive legal career, policy development work, and international case studies. This episode provides essential context for understanding modern witch hunts as a contemporary global human rights issue requiring coordinated international response. Through examining successful interventions against FGM, we explore proven strategies for combating harmful traditional practices through combined legal action and community engagement.
Join us for this critical discussion about protecting vulnerable populations and building effective systems for monitoring and preventing witch hunting in the modern world.
Key Topics Covered:
Religious freedom and harmful traditional practices
Comparative analysis of legal approaches to FGM and witchcraft accusations
Role of religious leaders in perpetuating or preventing accusations
Challenges facing law enforcement in remote communities
Connection between disability discrimination and witchcraft allegations
Implementation strategies for the 2021 UN resolution
Global initiatives targeting elimination of harmful practices by 2030
Kirsty Brimelow KC
National FGM Centre
United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 47/8. Elimination of harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks
Pan African Parliament Guidelines for Addressing Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks
Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: Study on the situation of the violations and abuses of human rights rooted in harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks, as well as stigmatization
World Day Against Witch Hunts
End Witch Hunts
Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project
Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project
Maryland Witches Exoneration Project
Witch Hunt Website
End Witch Hunts Bookshop
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In February 1933, while the world was entering the age of radio and automobiles, individuals from the town of Soalhaes, Portugal burned a woman accused of witchcraft. The victim was Arminda de Jesus, a 32-year-old mother of two children, known locally for her kindness and for helping her troubled neighbor. That same neighbor would accuse her of witchcraft, leading to an exorcism ritual that spiraled tragically out of control and ended in Arminda's death. Through meticulous research in Portuguese archives, Dr. Inês Tadeu from the University of Madeira has reconstructed this forgotten case using trial records and newspaper accounts. She joins us to discuss how witchcraft beliefs persisted into the twentieth century, and why some communities still struggle to confront these dark aspects of our humanity. Together, we explore how a simple accusation of witchcraft could end in murder in 1930s Europe, and why Arminda's story remained buried for so long.
Department of the Interior National Native American Heritage Month Statement
Publications by Inês Tadeu
Department of the Interior National Native American Heritage Month Statement
End Witch Hunts
Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project
Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project
Maryland Witches Exoneration Project
Witch Hunt Website
End Witch Hunts Bookshop
Inês Tadeu, “Joana, a Romantic Woman-as-Witch Heroine in the film "O Crime de Aldeia Velha" (1964) by Bernardo Santareno, Manuel de Guimarães and José Carlos Andrade”
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We step behind Broadway's emerald curtain to explore Wicked with two leading scholars. The University of Kansas' Paul Laird, professor emeritus of musicology, received unprecedented access as Stephen Schwartz composed his blockbuster musical and wrote the definitive book on its making, Wicked: a Musical Biography. His colleague Jane Barnette is a professor of theater & dance and the author of Witch Fulfillment: Adaptation Dramaturgy and Casting the Witch for Stage and Screen. She reveals how the evolving story of Oz has redefined witchcraft in modern theater. In this engaging discussion, we prepare for the film while learning more about the book and musical that changed how we see good, evil, and female power and friendship.Article: KU experts comment on ‘Wicked’ film adaptation
Play Episode:Wicked Movie: The Making of a Witch
Wicked Movie: The Making of a Witch explores the nuanced and powerful portrayal of witches in the highly anticipated Wicked movie. Witch Hunt podcast hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack delve into their immediate reactions and the deeper social themes conveyed through the film
Purchase the Wonderful and Wicked Books of Oz in our Bookstore
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