Satanic ritual abuse (SRA) is a term used to describe different behaviors, actions, and allegations that lie between extremes of definitions. It is a form of child abuse that occurs in the context linked to some symbols or group activity that has religious, magical, or supernatural connotations, and where the invocation of these symbols or activities, repeated over time, is used to frighten and intimidate children. All of this is conducted for the purpose of control so that the abusers can systematically sexually abuse children.

There is no consensus on what actually constitutes SRA, and this lack of a single definition, as well as confusion between the meanings of the term ritual (religious versus psychological), allowed a wide range of allegations and evidence to be claimed as a demonstration of the reality of SRA allegations. Reported cases of Satanic devil worshipers continue to involve unsubstantiated allegations of bizarre activities that are difficult to prove or disprove.

While some child molesters may use the trappings of Satanism to frighten young victims, large-scale conspiracies and multiple human sacrifices are just as unlikely as tales of victims cut apart and put back together. Cases reportedly involving Satanic ritual abuse of children appear to have four dynamics in common: multiple young victims, multiple offenders, fear as the controlling tactic, and bizarre or ritualistic activity.

It is important to note that the term "Satanic ritual abuse" has been largely discredited and is no longer used by professionals in favor of more nuanced terms such as multi-dimensional child sex rings, ritual/ritualistic abuse, organized abuse, or sadistic abuse, some of which acknowledge the complexity of abuse cases with multiple perpetrators and victims without projecting a religious framework onto perpetrators.