Hostage International launches new guide to support children and families

Hostage International launches new guide to support children and families

Having a family member kidnapped is a deeply frightening and upsetting experience for anyone affected, but particularly for children. As such, to coincide with Children’s Mental Health Week, Hostage International has launched a new guide to support families with children going through this trauma.

Lara Symons, Director of Hostage International, who, alongside our team of volunteer caseworkers, also supports families and released hostages, explains: “It can be particularly hard for families to know how to support young children and teenagers during such a stressful time. Young people can’t always be kept in the loop about their loved-one’s kidnap, not only for their own emotional wellbeing, but also for the safety of the hostage.

“Hostage International wanted to go further in helping guide parents and carers through an unimaginably difficult and unsettling time for entire families.”

Supporting Children During a Kidnapping

Our ‘Supporting Children During a Kidnapping’ guide for families has been written with the help of a mental health expert specialising in child trauma.

While acknowledging that every situation is different and defined by individual circumstances, the guide aims to provide parents, guardians and carers with tips on how best to support, protect and care for any children affected.

The guide offers practical pointers including around how to talk about what has happened, the power of routines, how to deal with social media, any signs that a child may need additional support, and how to support children through when a hostage returns home, or if things do not have a positive ending.

Hostage International provides practical and emotional support for families who have had a loved one kidnapped and for hostages when they return home.

Download our Supporting Children During a Kidnap Guide. For further information or if you have had a loved one kidnapped please contact us at [email protected] or visit our support pages here.

 

More News

Hostage International launches new guide to support children and families
Hostage International launches new guide to support children and families