| Would anyone admit to a statement such as that? | | | | engaged to Olafson. Another woman started a |
| Why would anyone choose to stay in an abusive | | | | defense fund for the robber's legal defense. |
| relationship? | | | | Eventually "the Stockholm Syndrome" was used as |
| How could one be a hostage in their own home? | | | | the explanation for a type of emotional bonding, that |
| Most would not look at their situation as one of | | | | is in reality, a survival strategy for victims of |
| hostage, but then sometimes it may feel as if they | | | | emotional and physical abuse-including not only |
| are "trapped." | | | | hostages, but also battered spouses and partners, |
| True, some admit to feeling like a prisoner in their | | | | abused children and even POW's. |
| own home, but a hostage? | | | | Van Zandt suggests in his article: "If the victim of the |
| There could be an answer as to why some abused | | | | abusive relationship is your child or a friend, you need |
| individuals stay in that type of environment. | | | | to remain supportive and not put even more stress, |
| An expert speaks about the "Stockholm Syndrome" | | | | pressure, and guilt on the abused individual. An abuser |
| Clint Van Zandt is an MSNBC analyst. During his | | | | can change, but he/she must want to change, and |
| 25-year career in the FBI, he was a supervisor in the | | | | the longer he is allowed to abuse, the less likely he is |
| FBI's internationally renowned Behavioral Science Unit | | | | to alter his behavior. If emotional or physical abuse is |
| at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. He was also | | | | present in a dating relationship, know that the abuser |
| the FBI's Chief Hostage Negotiator and has been | | | | is a loser; the abuse will become worse as time goes |
| chief investigator in the search for Osama Bin Laden; | | | | by, so turn on your heels and move quickly away |
| was a leader of the analytical team tasked with | | | | from the influence of this person. Period!" |
| identifying the "Unabomber," and many other high | | | | So, what should one do if they are trapped in an |
| profile investigations. | | | | abusive relationship? |
| In his article WHY WE LOVE THE ONES WHO HURT | | | | Not everyone in an abusive relationship can be |
| US, he tells of hostages who sometimes become | | | | diagnosed with Stockholm Syndrome. However, it is |
| sympathetic to the hostage takers. As unbelievable | | | | especially important for anyone leaving an abusive |
| as that sounds, there is an actual syndrome that | | | | relationship, to seek counseling, to spend a few years |
| explains the reactions of some, after being taken | | | | rebuilding self-esteem and finding a lifestyle that |
| hostage and abused and yet sympathizing with the | | | | teaches him or her that they should not allow abuse, |
| perpetrator. It is called "The Stockholm Syndrome." | | | | in any form, in their relationships. The attitude and |
| The name arose from a heavily armed bank robber | | | | example that adults in their family, set for their |
| named Olafson, who took three women and a man | | | | children could stop the abuse factor in its tracks. |
| hostage in a Stockholm Sweden bank. He strapped | | | | Be there for a friend who is a victim of abuse |
| dynamite to their bodies and forced them into the | | | | If you know of someone who is involved in an |
| bank vault. The man refused to negotiate with the | | | | abusive relationship, be there for them, encourage |
| police and held them hostage for 6 days. | | | | them, and suggest they seek outside intervention, |
| The shocking part of the situation was that one or | | | | such as counseling in self-esteem, and ultimately |
| more of the female captives were sympathetic with | | | | self-protection. |
| their captor and even admitted to consensual physical | | | | Could they be a victim of the Stockholm Syndrome? |
| intimacy with him. Later, one of the women broke | | | | Let them know that, "No one is born to be abused |
| her engagement to her intended and became | | | | by another person! |