The news reports about the extra-ordinary find of two kidnapped boys recently is beginning questioning of why children are not asking for help when it seems they could have.
It is important to understand the mindset of the kidnapped and the kidnapper and equally to realize the victim and the victimizer in family violence cases are very similar.
The perpetrator seems fine to neighbors and co-workers, but at home that same person terrorizes those and threatens to kill the oppressed and isolated persons at home that they have held captive.
How many times have we heard the question, “Why does she stay?” with reference to beaten women. Now the news questions why children stay!
Terrorists aren”t only suicide bombers, or cowardly snipers, they are also normal-looking people who terrorize with words and harmful physical and mental torture that keeps their captives from speaking out and asking for help.
The fear factor, then the denial mentally that affords the victims to survive, will not allow a struggle to escape.
While we educate about staying safe, we must educate about what can be done once taken into isolation, whether in family violence or in a kidnapping.
To feel fear, to feel responsible for family members” safety, is all paralyzing, especially in a child”s mind.
Beverly Owen
Clearlake
