THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SATANIC CULT INVOLVEMENT: AN ...

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3.4.8. Charismatic authority
Satanic cult authority is extremely hierarchical, and the high priests/priestesses are
believed to possess superhuman knowledge and power. Their cult status invests them
with absolute control over cult proceedings. Cult members are obliged to perform the
high priest's/priestess's bidding, and any perceived disloyalty or failure to comply is
harshly punished.
3.5 Antisocial and criminal satanic ritual activities
While most openly practising Satanic organisations publicly condemn antisocial or
criminal conduct, it appears certain that a number of underground Satanic organisations
commit ritual crimes. These alleged criminal activities are detailed below.
3.5.1 Ritual abuse
A variety of sadistic physical, psychological, and sexual abusive practices are allegedly
perpetrated within satanic cults (Goodwin, 1994; Gould, 1992; Tate, 1991; Trowell,
1994). Goodwin (1994) defines sadistic abuse as "extreme adverse experiences which
include sadistic sexual and physical abuse, acts of torture, overcontrol and terrorisation,
induction into violence, ritual involvements and malevolent emotional abuse" (p. 33).
Ritual abuse is a subtype of sadistic abuse involving physical, psychological and sexual
practices associated with repeated symbolic activities or rituals occurring within a
religious, magical, or supernatural context (McFadyen et ai, 1993). What defines sadistic
abuse as ritualistic in a satanic context is that the abuse is not performed simply for the
abusers' gratification, but because it expresses the symbolic life of the cult and furthers
the latter's religious/pseudo-religious objectives. The hallmark ofritual abuse is: