2012.8.17 单词 Confronting(面对) witchcraft(巫术) in Britain

Confronting(面对) witchcraft(巫术) in Britain

来源：http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2012/08/120816_witn_witchcraft_britain.shtml

There have been some shocking cases of violent child abuse in

Britain in recent years. To mention just two: Kristy Bamu was

murdered in 2010 because his attackers thought he was a witch.

He was 15. And then there was the gruesome case of the

headless(不在意的) torso(躯干) belonging(属于) to a five 

or six-year-old boy found in the River Thames a decade(十年) ago. 

In trying to tackle the problem, the government has brought

together faith leaders, charities(慈善), the police and socialworkers. Under its new

action plan it urges(强烈的欲望) closer

cooperation between these groups. Those critical(鉴定的) of the

plan, while welcoming it as an important step, say more faith leaders

need to acknowledge(承认) the problem of ritual killings. 

Despite(尽管) the differences of opinion which exist, the government

says it will now help provide support to those who witness(目击)such activity. It also says it wants to appoint mentors(指导者) –people who can listen to members of affected communities. But the

government admits that more research is needed for the problem tobe properly eradicated.

Vocabulary

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abuse

mistreatment, cruelty

witch

a person who practises magic or sorcery(魔术)

gruesome

horrible

torso

human body excluding(不包括…) head and limbs(肢)

tackle

deal with, confront

faith leaders

religious chiefs

cooperation

teamwork, support

ritual

ceremonial

appoint

employ

eradicated

destroyed