The Psychological Impact of Kidnap

The Psychological Impact of KidnapKidnap is a uniquely human crime. Unlike murder and other crimes though, kidnap is an inherently psychological one because the kidnappers ultimate target is not usually the hostage, but those left outside the hostages cell. Recent cases have focused the attention of governments, law enforcement agencies, health care professionals and the public on the phenomenon of kidnapping and other types of terrorist attacks. Despite this new interest, the body of

Kidnap is a uniquely human crime. Unlike murder and other crimes though, kidnap is an inherently psychological one because the kidnappersÕ ultimate target is not usually the hostage, but those left outside the hostageÕs cell.

Recent cases have focused the attention of governments, law enforcement agencies, health care professionals and the public on the phenomenon of kidnapping and other types of terrorist attacks. Despite this new interest, the body of research-based literature on victimsÕ reactions to kidnap is relatively small.

This book focuses on the unique set of problems caused by kidnap as well as the treatment approaches that clinical experience has found to be effective.

Examples from the literature and cases illustrating successful treatments and best practices for reducing the distress of those touched by the malevolent power of kidnap are described.

Recommendations for behaviors hostages can use to increase their chances of survival will also be discussed.