The Psychiatry of Kidnapping and Hostage-Taking

Abstract

Helen was only 10 years old when she was taken for the first time; her history shows many of the characteristic features of hostage-taking and kidnapping: (1) the complex combination of personal and political motivation; she was a very beautiful child (her twin brother was not taken) and she had distinctly powerful parents; (2) she showed, especially in her second abduction, a great willingness to co-operate on the most intimate terms, with her captors (the so-called Stockholm phenomenon); (3) she was ultimately rescued after an exceptionally long siege by a variety of deception which is often practised, but is not recommended, in such situations. The fact that Helen is part of the mythology of ancient Sparta and Troy only indicates that the origin of kidnapping and hostage-taking is as old as recorded history and has its roots, together with piracy, banditry and political intrigue, in the selfish and lawless exploitation of the weak by the strong. Throughout European history treaties between states have contained hostage clauses, and even as recently as the Second World War hostages were taken to maintain the subjugation of occupied communities.