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SURVIVING HOSTAGE SITUATIONS

NCJ Number
48944
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
BUSINESS EXECUTIVES, WHO ARE POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF POLITICAL TERRORISM AND KIDNAPPING AND INSTRUCTED BY THIS SLIDE AND VIDEO CASSETTE PROGRAM IN TECHNIQUES FOR SURVIVING A HOSTAGE SITUATION.
Abstract
POLITICAL ATTACKS ON CORPORATE EXECUTIVES HAVE BEEN INCREASING DUE TO THE VULNERABILITY AND THEIR SYMBOLIC VALUE FOR TERROIST PROPAGANDA PURPOSES. THIS TRAINING PROGRAM PROVIDES A FRAME OF REFERENCE FOR EXECUTIVES THAT SHOULD MITIGATE THE SHOCK OF VICTIMIZATION AND ASSIST IN THE DECISONMAKING AT CRUCIAL MOMENTS OF A CRISIS. DELIBERATELY-PLANNED KIDNAPPINGS ARE EXAMINED FOR TECHNIQUES THAT WILL ENSURE THE WELL-BEING OF THE VICTIM. THE ODDS ARE FAVORABLE THAT A KIDNAPPING WICTIM WILL SURVIVE, AND THAT HE WILL BE RETURNED PSYCHOLOGIALLY AND PHYSICALLY SOUND. EACH STAGE OF THE KIDNAP PROCESS POSES DIFFERENT RISKS AND REQUIRES DIFFERENT RESPONSES. IF A POTENTIAL VICTIM REALIZES THAT HE IS UNDER THE SURVEILLANCE OF KIDNAPPERS HE SHOULD DISCUSS ALL TRAVEL PLANS WITH SECURITY PERSONNEL. TERRORISTS ARE LIKELY TO BE ARMED AND TRAINED IN THE USE OF THEIR WEAPONS. A DISPLAY OF RESISTANCE OR ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE MAY RESULT IN THE DEATH OF THE VICTIM, AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE KIDNAPPERS' INSTRUCTIONS IS RECOMMENDED. CONSERVING STRENGTH, PREVENTING PERSONAL INJURY, AND MAINTAINING A NONTHREATENING IMAGE MAY REDUCE THE SEVERITY OF SUBSEQUENT HANDLING. DURING TRANSPORT, THE VICTIM SHOULD ATTEMPT TO COLLECT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DIRECTION AND SPEED OF THE ESCAPE VEHICLE AND THE TERRAIN BEING CROSSED. PSYCHOLOGICAL INTIMIDATION AND BRAINWASHING ATTEMPTS ARE TO BE EXPECTED, AND THE VICTIM SHOULD NOT HOPE FOR EARLY RELEASE. RATHER, A VICTIM OUGHT TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENCE IN EVENTUAL RELEASE AND SAFETY. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)

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