Hostage-Taking in the Context of Domestic Violence: Some Case Examples

• NCJ Number: 209692
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2005 Pages: 21-27
• Author(s): Vincent B. Van Hasselt; John J. Flood; Stephen J. Romano; Gregory M. Vecchi; Nathalie de Fabrique; Vincent A. Dalfonzo
• Date Published: February 2005
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the prevalence and characteristics of domestic violence incidents involving hostage-taking.

Abstract

In some instances of domestic violence, police officers must respond to a scene in which the victim, and in many cases her children, has been taken hostage by her husband or partner. Recent research has suggested that these domestic violence incidents involving hostage-taking are increasing. In an effort to learn more about this phenomenon, the current study estimated the prevalence and identified the characteristics of hostage-taking in domestic violence situations. Data were drawn from the Hostage Barricade Database System (HOBAS), part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI's) Crisis Negotiation Unit, which stores data from post-incident reports on hostage/barricade incidents from across the Nation. Further, case studies of domestic hostage events were analyzed to gain a more complete understanding. The five case examples show a wide range of complex domestic violence situations, indicating different types of acts and outcomes. The findings suggest that many of these incidents involve histories of substance abuse, weapon possession, domestic assault, and other criminal activities, as well as threats of, or actual divorce. Future analysis by the authors will focus on a more comprehensive analysis of hostage negotiation strategies to reduce harm to domestic violence victims. Table, references