Actors inside the Psychomanteum

A controversial scare attraction returns at Scare Kingdom near Preston.

Psychomanteum was criticised by a rape charity for its simulated sex ordeal as part of the attraction.

The experience, which lasts around six minutes, was branded was “degrading and humiliating” last year by Rape Crisis.

It is part of the wider scare attraction, which uses actors to frighten visitors, but Psychomanteum is a restricted part of the Scare Kingdom – which only over 18s can enter.

A statement from Scare Kingdom operators AtmosFEAR! Scare Entertainment defended the return of Psychomanteum.

They said: “Psychomanteum is an adults only, invasive, psycho-sexual, personal horror experience. The attraction has been designed to push people to their limits and is amongst the most unique attractions of it’s type in the UK.

“It has proved popular with adrenaline junkies, horror buffs and thrill seekers alike. Guests are taken on a journey through the Psychomanteum clinic for the sexually deranged under the watchful eye of Dr. Goodkind and his matrons. The attraction is strictly for over 18’s and everyone going through it signs a disclaimer prior to entry.”

Anyone entering Psychomanteum agrees the actors can touch them as part of the ordeal.

Jo Wood, a trustee at Rape Crisis, said last year: “I am horrified. We would not support such a degrading, humiliating experience or class it as entertainment.

“I am absolutely horrified that anyone can find it okay to prey on a woman’s deepest vulnerability and fear in this way in the name of cheap thrills, for who exactly?

“I can only imagine the damage this would do to a recovering victim, a long ago victim – or any sane member of public to be honest.

“This is not about Halloween – or scares – it is about humiliation. It errs on the dark side of scary – the secret and hidden world of sexual abuse under the cover of ‘fun’ and ‘just a laugh’.”

A number of visitors complained of extreme terror following their visit to Psychomanteum, and feeling very uncomfortable about what they experienced during the attraction.

Watch the trailer for this year’s Scare Kingdom which includes Psychomanteum, if you’re on our app click here to watch.

What do you think? Did you visit it last year? Let us know in the comments below