Hostage International launches bespoke Family Mediation Service
Hostage International has launched a new pilot project to offer extra help for families and former hostages as they readjust to life together after release.
This innovative mediation service offers a unique opportunity for families – including close loved-ones – to share and talk about their individual experiences stemming from the trauma of the hostage situation and to work towards planning for the future together.
The project is being led by Dr Nicola Lester, a mental health nurse trained in mediation, who specialises in working with people affected by crisis and psychological trauma in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event, including hostage crises.
This family mediation service is intended to offer former hostages and their families a time-limited, family-focused therapeutic intervention to support reintegration post-release.
Dr Lester explains: “We see extreme challenges for returning hostages and their families as they try to navigate their way through this incredibly difficult time when tensions and differences inevitably arise.
“We hope that through this service we can help family members navigate and resolve any areas of difference and tension to then enable them to plan for the future together.”
This new service seeks to support family members to share their experiences and create a shared dialogue as a family.
Dr Lester added: “What we know is that strong family relationships can be incredibly protective in the aftermath of any trauma.
“This project aims to strengthen relationships and to be proactive in addressing and negotiating areas of difference so that a shared story of what has happened can emerge.”
This Family Mediation Service has been developed in response to the fact that in over 20 years of Hostage International’s existence – and supporting more than 500 people – we have seen that one of the most complex times is after release.
Lara Symons, CEO of Hostage International, said: “We regularly witness that one of the most challenging times for people is after release as families try to rekindle some sense of ‘normality’.
“However, when individuals in families have been through the same trauma but from very differing perspectives, it can lead to difficulties in readjusting to life and their relationships.
“We hope that this project will help alleviate some of these difficulties to help build a more positive future.”
Hostage International is seeking funding for this project which will enable us to provide this specialist service for those who need it, when they need it. It will also to assist us in gathering insights from participants so that we can enhance our understanding of the needs of returning hostages and their families and we can continue to develop and design support which addresses these unique challenges.
April 2025
