HOSTAGE SURVIVAL

• NCJ Number: 50038
• Journal: Security Management Volume: 22 Issue: 8 Dated: (AUGUST 1978) Pages: 46-50
• Author(s): J R REBER; L W SINGER; F M WATSON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: American Soc for Industrial Security
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

FOLLOWING A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE ISSUES AND TRENDS IN TERRORIST HOSTAGE-TAKING, RESEARCH ON HOSTAGE SURVIVAL IS DISCUSSED AND ELEMENTS OF THE KIDNAPPING PROCESS ARE IDENTIFIED.

Abstract

RECOGNIZING THE POTENTIAL THREAT TO THEIR PERSONNEL, 10 CORPORATIONS CONTRACTED WITH MTI TELEPROGRAMS INC. FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MULTIMEDIA PROGRAM TO HELP TRAIN THEIR KEY EXECUTIVES TO EFFECTIVELY COPE WITH A KIDNAP EXPERIENCE. THREE MAJOR TYPES OF KIDNAPPING SCENARIOS WERE EXAMINED: SURREPTITIOUS HOLDING, BARRICADE-HOSTAGE, AND SKYJACKING. AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM WAS ASSEMBLED TO DO THE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND SEVERAL FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS WERE DISCOVERED AND DEVELOPED: (1) NEARLY 9 OUT OF 10 VICTIMS SURVIVE KIDNAPPING; (2) KIDNAPPING AND HOSTAGE SITUATIONS ARE INVARIABLY RESOLVED THROUGH INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS, NOT STRATEGIC MANEUVERS; (3) NO SIMPLE SET OF DO'S AND DON'T'S FOR VICTIM BEHAVIOR PREVAIL; AND (4) KIDNAPPING OCCURS IN SEVERAL STAGES. SIX STAGES WERE IDENTIFIED BY THE RESEARCHERS: (1) SURVEILLANCE, (2) CAPTURE, (3) TRANSPORT, (4) HOLDING, (5) TERMINATION, AND (6) READJUSTMENT. THE INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE STAGES ARE DISCUSSED, AND IT IS ARGUED THAT AWARENESS OF THE DYNAMICS OF THE KIDNAPPING PROCESS CAN BE ESSENTIAL TO VICTIM SURVIVAL. THE MOST CRITICAL PERIOD FOR THE KIDNAP VICTIM IS THE FIRST 3 DAYS; THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF VICTIMS WHO SURVIVE THESE DAYS SURVIVE THE TOTAL EXPERIENCE. IN THIS PHASE, THE VICTIM MUST TAKE CONTROL OF HIS NEW LIFE, ADJUST TO THE CONFINEMENT, INTIMIDATION BY CAPTORS, TOTAL DEPENDENCE, POOR FOOD AND SANITARY CONDITIONS, AND MAINTAIN PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH IN THE FACE OF HOSTILE CONDITIONS. COPING WITH THE READJUSTMENT WHICH FOLLOWS A SUCCESSFUL KIDNAP OUTCOME IS ALSO A CRITICAL PHASE. WHEN THE ORDEAL IS OVER, VICTIMS OFTEN FACE PROBLEMS READJUSTING TO THEIR FORMER LIVES. UNFORTUNATELY MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS EMERGE FOR THIS STAGE OF THE KIDNAP PROCESS. PHOTOS ILLUSTRATE THE TEXT. (KBL)