People that are forced into enslavement endure not only physical trauma, but mental trauma as well. Modern-day survivors of slavery need proper treatment and rehabilitation after being liberated. Unfortunately, many who have been slaves do not receive the help that they need and deserve. Being constantly abused, controlled and held captive can make the victim feel bonded to their abuser, even feeling sympathy for them, this is known as Stockholm Syndrome, formerly known as “Hostage Identification Syndrome”.
Psychological effects of enslavement cannot be seen, but they are scars that
the survivors carry all the same. The medical dictionary defines Stockholm
syndrome refers to a group of psychological symptoms that occur in
some persons in a captive or hostage situation. The syndrome
received its name from an incident in 1973 Stockholm, Sweden when bank robbers
held three women captive. When the women were retrieved they felt anger and
resentment towards the police, but love and protection for their captors. Seen
repeatedly throughout relationships of abuse, isolation and slavery, adoration is
establish as a tactic of survival.
Establishing a relationship with the person that is the controller in an abusive relationship is viewed as allowing a better chance of survival to the person that is being abused.
Traffickers use force, drugs, emotional tactics, and financial
methods to control their victims. They have an especially easy time
establishing a strong bond with young girls...These abusive methods of control
impact the victims both physically and mentally. Similar to cases involving
Stockholm Syndrome, these victims, who have been abused over an extended period
of time, begin to feel an attachment to the perpetrator.11 This
paradoxical psychological phenomenon makes it difficult for law enforcement to
breach the bond of control, albeit abusive, the trafficker holds over the
victim.
The results of Stockholm can lead to repeat offenses leading to further trauma, returning to the life and an altered perception of their living reality. To help combat Stockholm there needs to be more training on the syndrome, more research done so it is more recognized and can be treated through therapy.
The results of Stockholm can lead to repeat offenses leading to further trauma, returning to the life and an altered perception of their living reality. To help combat Stockholm there needs to be more training on the syndrome, more research done so it is more recognized and can be treated through therapy.
I think this is a really interesting topic seeing as it would be hard to want to help someone when they can't see what is good for themselves.What really causes Stockholm Syndrome, and what makes someone prone to it? Could some cases that have been reported as Stockholm Syndrome actually have been people supporting their captor because they are fighting for a just cause? Do you have any ideas on how to prevent the syndrome or is it just a matter of treating it? Is their a correlation between physical violence and Stockholm? When someone is trying to take control of someone what steps do they take to achieve the syndrome?
ReplyDeleteGreat topic, Dayna. I do have a few questions though. You say that young girls are more susceptible to Stockholm Syndrome. What attributes of a young girl makes them this way? Is it simply because they are young? is there an age range defining levels of susceptibility to Stockholm Syndrome? On a different note, is there a cure, or prospect of a cure, for Stockholm Syndrome, or is it a disorder that must be continually monitored and treated over the remainder of a lifetime? it seems as though Stockholm Syndrome is difficult to identify. Are there ways to test trafficking survivors for this disorder? If so, what do they entail and how accurate are they?
ReplyDeleteYour blog does a great job of explaining exactly what Stockholm Syndrome is and what needs to be done to treat it. I think the most unfortunate part of Stockholm Syndrome is the fact the victim is completely unaware how "brainwashed" he/she truly is until treatment. It seems like denial must play a big role in recovery; trying to change their mindset and perception of what is actually occurring. What do you believe is the best way to successfully treat someone with Stockholm?
ReplyDeleteWhen you said that a victim establishes a relationship with the abuser as a survival method, that really stuck out to me. The problem with that is even with the proper help that victim will always have the urge to go back to a person who is like the abuser, because it is a survival method to them. Even with years of treatment they might still be attracted to a person similar to the abuser because of that emotional attachment. They may feel they need that "protection" and "family" the abuser was providing. so they may go try to find it somewhere else and get caught up in that life again.
ReplyDelete