Notes

Good morning everyone,
My name is Fatimah Ali and today I will be discussing the psychological effects of long term kidnapping
This is a topic which not only fascinates me, but I believe it is of vital importance to raise awareness of the issue.
I will begin by answering a fundamental question: What is kidnapping?
Kidnapping is being abducted and held for a period of time against your will. Victims of kidnapping often suffer physical, verbal, mental and sexual abuse.
According to the world population review Turkey is the country with the most kidnappings in 2024 – at 42.669. The UK had a total of 8.835 kidnappings in 2024.
I will now explain what the psychological effects of long-term kidnapping are.
These can occur at once or gradually over a period of time both whilst in captivity and after the victim has been rescued or has escaped.
Some effects include: Anxiety, Stress, PTSD, Stockholm Syndrome which is developing positive feelings for abusers or captors. Lifelong fear of the outside, Aggression, Anger, Depression, Mental health deterioration and more.
For my Case study I have focused on the girl in the box:
In 1977- 20 year old Colleen Stan was hitchhiking from her hometown of Eugene, Oregon to Northern California. – she had already turned down 2 rides that day.
A man and his wife pulled over and offered her a ride, they had a child in the backseat so they seemed harmless. Colleen got in the car.
They arrived at a house, led Colleen to the basement, tied her wrists and began torturing her.
The torture ranged from electrocution, whipping and burning Colleen.
The man; Cameron, then began raping Colleen when his wife (Janice), wasn’t home.
When the family moved to a mobile home, Collen was kept in a wooden coffin like box underneath their bed for up to 23 hours a day.
For an hour or two a day she would babysit the kids and clean the home.
She stayed with them because they brainwashed her and threatened her family if she tried to escape.
Toward the end of captivity Stan said he wanted Colleen as his second wife. – so Janice helped her escape to stop this from happening. – Janice then reported her husband to the police.
Cameron was charged with sexual assault and kidnapping using a knife.
Colleen suffered physical pain for a while after escaping. She also received extensive therapy to help with her psychological trauma
There are many resources available which help both prevent and educate people of kidnapping.
There are also resources such as therapy, counselling, group therapy and different charitable organisations which help victims of kidnapping heal and recover.
It is important to understand the dangers outside and always be careful and vigilant when going anywhere.
It is also important to be able to spot warning signs and remember the importance of safety in numbers.
Thank you for listening to my speech.
Any questions?