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 Abducted Children of Sexual Predators
In the wake of the recent recovery of 15 year old Shawn Hornbeck and 13 year old Ben Ownby abducted by 41 year old Michael Devlin I am beginning to hear concerns by citizens as to why Shawn, who was free to go outside and even have friends, never attempted to escape. It is sometimes easy for us to attribute some blame to victims for their demise or its' perpetuation. Why don't battered women just leave or why do they keep going back? Why does a 15 year old continue to stay when he could simply walk away? Indeed, there is nothing simple to these tragedies. Let us examine the realities of being an 11 year old child abducted by a pedophile. As some experts have already noted Shawn most likely developed Stockholm syndrome, the phenomenon where the victim identifies with the offender. Patty Hearst brought this to public awareness when she was abducted by the revolutionary Symbionese Liberation Army and eventually participated with them in carrying out bank robberies. Indeed, if adults can be subjected to Stockholm syndrome effects, to what extent are children vulnerable?
Let me be very clear on this point: Both boys were victims and neither is culpable in any way. The preference for most pedophiles is a male 10-12 years of age or one that looks that age. They choose their victims both for sexual experiences as well as developing relationships. In the eyes of most pedophiles the relationship becomes consensual, even if the child had to be abducted. They think, in their own deluded, twisted fantasies that once a child is exposed to the "love and care" of the adult that whatever sexual activities occur are consensual. They are in complete denial that children, by law, cannot give consent, even if they say yes a thousand times. Most pedophiles do not abduct their victims but when they do techniques of compliance are used to control the child and elicit cooperation. Offenders manipulate, lie, coerce, intimidate, terrorize and gradually wear down the resistance of their victims. The domination and power of the adult male keeps the child on a very short leash that instills a pervasive sense of helplessness.
Think how you might feel as an 11 year old being abducted and told that if you ever tell or try to run away that your parents, siblings, pets, friends, favorite relatives, etc. would be killed or harmed in some way? What would you do to protect them? Shawn, during his captivity, never told of his other life even though he had many opportunities because over the years he consciously and subconsciously was protecting his family and friends as well as his own life. After all, if this man had the power to abduct him he also has the power to carry out his threats. Thus the abductees live double lives just as Elizabeth Smart did for nearly a year in Salt Lake City. Victims traumatized by abduction for sexual purposes usually experience degrees of post traumatic stress disorder that impacts victims for the rest of their lives. We need to be as compassionate toward these victims as we are as passionate about punishing the offender. Let us reframe our thinking of these child victims as not only survivors of sexual predators but also as heroes to all of us. Let us also give our thanks and gratitude to Ben's classmate and those police officers whose attention to detail ultimately led to the recovery of Ben and Shawn.
Eric Hickey, Ph.D.
Director of the Center for Forensic Studies - Alliant International University
Criminal Psychologist & Crime Consultant
Biography
Be sure to follow Dr. Hickey's online blog.
Previous Commentaries
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
August 2006
July 2006
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