Tuesday 23rd February, 5.00pm

Arts Lecture Theatre, New Arts Faculty Building

KIDNAPPING: IT’S FEATURES, RESOLUTION AND EFFECTS

Seminar by

Professor David Alexander, MA(Hons), C Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon)FRCPsych, Director, Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research Faculty of Health and Social Care, The Robert Gordon University

Bio

Professor David A Alexander has had many years of experience of dealing with major incidents in the UK and abroad, including military conflict, terrorist incidents and natural disasters. He is a consultant to the police, and teaches at the Scottish Police College on hostage negotiation, and sits on several governmental advisory bodies in relation to major incidents.

Abstract

There are so many motives for kidnapping, including political, financial, religious and ideological ones. Frequently, a kidnap attains a high media profile and there are conflicting opinions about how to obtain the freedom of the hostages. Armed force can be highly effective but it can also have catastrophic results.



Some individuals may only be taken for a very brief spell but others may have to endure years of captivity, and the effects can be very serious.



This presentation will consider the phenomenon of kidnapping, particularly in terms of resolving hostage incidents, how individuals manage to “survive” psychologically, and the short and longer-term physical and psychological effects of being taken hostage, including the so-called “Stockholm syndrome”.

Everyone is welcome to attend.