We present a thought-provoking episode that considers the enduring legacy of witch hunts, tracing their historical roots through the Salem Witch Trials to the present day with Martha Carrier descendant and author Alice Markham-Cantor. Her personal journey and research, lead our reflection on the economic, political, and personal motivations driving witch hunts. Witch hunt history reveals how accusations of witchcraft, intertwined with social disputes and global dynamics, persist across time, necessitating a call for historical truth, awareness of ongoing injustices, and activism against this continuing phenomenon. Alice’s new book, The Once and Future Witch Hunt: A Descendant’s Reckoning from Salem to the Present, releases May 8, 2024, and stay tuned to awitchstory.com for updates on the new documentary, A Witch Story, featuring Alice.

Buy the book "The Once and Future Witch: A Descendants Reckoning from Salem to the Present" By Alice Markham Cantor

https://www.alicemarkhamcantor.com/

https://awitchstory.com/

United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 47/8. Elimination of harmful practices related to 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

'Witch Hunt' Podcast Episode: Ending Sorcery Accusation Related Violence in Papua New Guinea with Miranda Forsyth

'The Briefing' Podcast Episode: Why Witch Hunts are Still Happening in 2024 with Miranda Forsyth

End Witch Hunts

Why Witch Hunts are not just a Dark Chapter from the Past

The International Network against Accusations of Witchcraft and Associated Harmful Practices

Grassroots organizations working with The International Network

This comprehensive discussion brings together experts Dr. Akanksha Madaan and Dr. Amit Anand, focusing on witch hunts, the intersection of spirituality and gender roles in societies, particularly within Hinduism, and comparisons with African contexts. Dr. Madaan, an Assistant Professor of Law with extensive study in Victimology, and Dr. Anand, also an Assistant Professor who has researched violence against women in India, including aspects of witchcraft and honor-based abuse, discuss the historical and sociocultural facets of witch-hunting. They examine how witch hunts have been influenced by various factors, including patriarchal structures, lack of education, and misconceptions about religious and spiritual practices. The conversation extends beyond India, touching on similar practices in Africa and drawing parallels to historical European witch trials, highlighting the universal scapegoating of women in such accusations. The discussion underscores the complexity of tackling witch hunts, calling for multidimensional approaches involving law, education, and community engagement to address this grave human rights issue.

Film: Testimony of Ana

End Witch Hunts

AVARNAN | SHORT FILM | NAVEEN SURESH | AMAL OSCAR | SHAMAL CHACKO | VISHNU SUJATHAN - YouTube

Why Witch Hunts are not just a Dark Chapter from the Past

The International Network against Accusations of Witchcraft and Associated Harmful Practices

Grassroots organizations working with The International Network

International Alliance to End Witch Hunts

This episode features a comprehensive discussion on superstitions and their impact on child rights in India, specifically focusing on the harmful ritual of Pillai Thookkam. The guests, Naveen Suresh, a PhD researcher on anti-superstition law in India, and Dr. Samantha Spence, an expert in human rights law, dive into the legal, cultural, and psychological aspects of superstitions and their enforcement. Naveen shares unsettling details about Pillai Thookkam, a ritual involving putting babies at risk without safety measures, to highlight the severe neglect of child rights under the guise of tradition. Both guests discuss the complexities of applying existing laws against such practices, emphasizing the importance of scientific temper, education, and mental health awareness. The episode concludes with insights into how media and education can play pivotal roles in combating superstitions and fostering a rational and empathetic societal outlook towards child welfare.

Street Play on Witch Hunting by I-CARD

Film: Testimony of Ana

End Witch Hunts

AVARNAN (The Colorless People) | SHORT FILM | NAVEEN SURESH

Why Witch Hunts are not just a Dark Chapter from the Past

The International Network against Accusations of Witchcraft and Associated Harmful Practices

Grassroots organizations working with The International Network

International Alliance to End Witch Hunts