Overview
Kidnapping has occurred for many centuries; it is the act of unlawfully abducting someone and holding them against their will, often in an undisclosed location.
We offer support during and after the kidnap or arbitrary detention of a loved one, and hostages when they return home.
Our expert team gives free, confidential and independent information and guidance throughout this traumatic time – and beyond. We are not involved in the resolution of incidents, but aim to lessen the strain by providing access to bespoke advice and free professional services. This includes – but is not limited to – advice around legal or employment issues, media engagement, offering access to free trauma therapy and signposting to medical or dental care, as well as support around administrative tasks or information to help with financial concerns.
Our support is led by staff with specialist expertise around global risk, crisis management, kidnap and arbitrary detention trends, the role of law and government, and media knowledge. We are supported by a team of trained volunteers, including mental health professionals.
When we are able to help, we will allocate you a dedicated volunteer caseworker who will help you navigate your circumstances.
Dealing with and recovering from a kidnap or arbitrary detention can be a frightening and lonely experience and unanticipated challenges can arise. We seek to make your situation slightly more bearable and help you with day-to-day issues that arise.
We provide emotional support for families who often have limited information about their loved ones in captivity and are not sure who to trust. We also offer guidance around practical problems such as unwanted media attention, financial concerns or legal issues that may arise. We aim to help families manage daily challenges which may be amplified against the backdrop of their loved one being taken hostage.
We support hostages after their release, who may face months or even years of adjustment to life after captivity. We can help with a range of issues that returnees may face, from administrative tasks (e.g., insurance, banking, taxes, benefits, and any type of form filling) to housing issues, dental care, and mental health. We can research information and also act as a sounding board. We aim to assist with any task that returnees find too daunting to address on their own.