The aftermath of abduction has severe emotional impact on victims, many of whom never fully recover from the traumatic experience.
Diana Henry, a former guidance counsellor at a Corporate Area high school, who is now pursuing a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology at the Jamaica Theological Seminary, points out that some victims will experience anger, confusion, persistent depression, panic attacks and a sense of hopelessness that their lives may never go back to being normal.
“These usually includes intense and rapid palpitation of the heart, which can be quite a frightening experience, sudden feelings of severe agitation, intense fear, becoming paranoid, and physically reacting to situations that trigger their memories.
She underscored the importance of victims getting counselling to ensure their psychological and emotional well-being as such trauma can prove to be difficult for individuals and their families.
What to do if you are abducted
Captain Robert Hibbert, a martial arts expert and security consultant of Executive Solutions, provides the following tips if you are abducted:
This is the initial phase of the abduction and is the best time to escape.