NCJ Number
63647
Journal
Assets Protection Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: SPECIAL REPORT (OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1979) Pages: 15-24
Date Published
1979
Length
10 pages
Annotation
A REPORT BASED ON FORMER HOSTAGES' EXPERIENCES FOCUSES ON THE VICTIM AND OFFERS PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES INCLUDING WAYS OF DEALING WITH THE CAPTORS.
Abstract
SPECIFICALLY INCLUDED ARE (1) HOSTAGE AND CAPTOR BEHAVIOR, INCLUDING HOW HOSTAGES SHOULD ACT TOWARDS AND COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR CAPTORS; (2) POSSIBLE ACTIONS AND ATTITUDES OF CRIMINAL OR TERRORIST CAPTORS TOWARD HOSTAGES; (3) HOW HOSTAGES CAN STAY MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY WELL DURING CAPTIVITY; AND (4) DEBRIEFING RELEASED VICTIMS. THE MOST IMPORTANT POINTS FOR HOSTAGE SURVIVAL ARE (1) BE HUMAN, (2) COMMUNICATE, (3) SET INDIVIDUAL GOALS, (4) EAT AND EXERCISE, AND (5) HAVE FAITH. THESE BASIC GUIDELINES ARE AMPLIFIED IN THE REPORT. THE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES INCLUDE PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE, REASSURANCE OF THE POLICE EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF HOSTAGES, ADMONITIONS TO BE OBSERVANT OF PHYSICAL SURROUNDINGS AND OF THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CAPTORS, AND ABOVE ALL, TO OFFER NO PROVOCATION TO THE CAPTORS. VICTIMS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAINTAIN PERSONAL MORALE AND GROOMING AND TO TRY TO REMAIN AWARE OF THE TIME OF DAY (VARIOUS SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES ARE SUGGESTED) IN ORDER TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH REALITY. THE ACTIONS OF THE CAPTORS ARE DESCRIBED, INCLUDING BARRAGING HOSTAGES WITH PROPAGANDA, ATTEMPTS AT BRAINWASHING, AND OTHER DEMORALIZING, DEGRADING, AND DEHUMANIZING ACTS DESIGNED TO UPSET HOSTAGES' EQUILIBRIUM AND SELF-CONTROL. POTENTIAL HOSTAGES ARE REMINDED THAT A PLAN OF ACTION IS NECESSARY FOR SURVIVAL AND THAT THIRD PARTIES USUALLY TAKE A LOW-KEY APPROACH TO NEGOTIATIONS TO BEST ENSURE HOSTAGE SURVIVAL. ALSO, SUGGESTIONS ARE LISTED FOR THOSE TAKEN HOSTAGE WHEN TRAVELING. AFTER RELEASE, THE VICTIM MAY FIRST BE DEBRIEFED BY A PSYCHOLOGIST WHO CAN EVALUATE WHICH QUESTION PATTERNS TO PRESENT AND WHICH QUESTIONS MAY BE TOO SENSITIVE TO ASK. SUGGESTED DEBRIEFING QUESTIONS ARE LISTED. RISK MANAGEMENT FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS DESCRIBES INSURANCE PROTECTION AVAILABLE FOR EXTORTION AND KIDNAPPING. (RFC)