Social Work Roles in Supporting Survivors of Ritual-Based Violence in Edo State

Ritual-based violence, including practices associated with trafficking networks and cult activities, creates complex trauma and welfare needs that require specialised social work management. This study examines the professional roles of social workers in supporting survivors of ritual-based violence in Edo State, South South Nigeria, focusing on cases handled by welfare agencies and survivor support organisations in Benin City and Igueben. A mixed-method design is adopted, with 65 social workers, NGO staff, and survivors as respondents. Structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews are applied, with descriptive statistics and thematic analysis used in interpretation. The study finds that social workers engage survivors through initial psychosocial assessment, trauma counselling, legal advocacy, and reintegration support including family mediation and vocational rehabilitation. The deep psychological trauma associated with ritual violence requires trauma-informed approaches that many practitioners are not trained to deliver. Survivors also face severe social stigma that complicates community reintegration. Recommendations include providing specialised trauma therapy training for social workers in Edo State's survivor support network, establishing safe houses with professional social work staffing for ritual violence survivors, and strengthening inter-agency coordination between social work, law enforcement, and legal aid organisations. Keywords: ritual-based violence, social work, survivor support, Edo State, trauma-informed practice