Kidnapping is a low-frequency high-impact crime, which means that information can be difficult to find. Drawing on the experiences of the families we have helped, we have put together some Frequently Asked Questions to help you to understand what might happen and where to go for help. This information is provided for guidance only; each kidnap is unique and needs to be dealt with as such.

What can I expect?
If the kidnapping is officially report, you will probably be informed by The Foreign Office Consular Directorate (Special Cases Unit). You might also be contacted directly by your local police force Family Liaison Officers. If your relative has been kidnapped while overseas working, you might hear first from his or her employer.

Experiencing the kidnap of a family member can leave you feeling confused, shocked, isolated, helpless, or even guilty. These reactions are normal, but need not be permanent. You might also feel suspicious about the intentions of a range of people and organisations you will come in contact with, whether the employer, a security consultancy, the UK Government, or media.

There may be media interest in the case, especially if it is high profile.

At this important first stage, try to stay calm, gather as much information as possible about what has happened, and ensure that all members of the family are clear about what has happened. You might want to appoint one member of the family to act as a single point of contact.

What can I do to help the hostage?

Don’t publicly criticise the perpetrators as this may inflame tensions.

Do co-operate with DNA harvesting and proof-of-life gathering, which are standard procedures at this stage. Don’t panic if you are asked to do this; it does not mean that your loved one has died.

Do keep a diary of your feelings and also ordinary daily events, so that when your loved one returns they can understand what was happening in the time they were away.

Do write down any questions or concerns as they occur to you so you have your thoughts gathered when you speak to officials or the employer.

Doconsider the kind of medical, psychological, or spiritual support you might need; you must focus on yourself as well as the hostage. For their sake as well as your own, you need to try to stay healthy and connected with family and friends, so that you do not feel isolated.

Who can I go to for help?
If a member of your family has been kidnapped or illegally detained overseas, Hostage UK is here to help and support. We are an independent not-for-profit charity dedicated to putting your needs first.

You could also contact:

The Foreign Office Consular Directorate has a 24-hr contact phone number: 020 7008 150 There is also information on their website: www.fco.gov.uk

Your local police force should put you in contact with the Metropolitan Police Family Liaison Unit. The Family Liaison Unit are a cadre of specially trained and vetted officers that work with the families of victims of traumatic crimes, including kidnaps. The Family Liaison Unit facilitate communication between the family and the investigating officers, and can help the family put together any background information or evidence that may help with the case.

You should also write to your local MP as soon as possible to inform them of the kidnap. They may be able to lobby on your behalf at a local, national, or international level.

Where can I learn more about the kidnappers or the kidnap country?
The Foreign Office Consular Directorate website has travel advice by country: www.fco.gov.uk

The CIA World Factbook is a good source of key social, economic, and political information about every country: www.cia.gov/

The US Department of State also has thorough and up-to-date background information on every country www.state.gov/

The Economist’s series of country briefings is a good source of recent current affairs coverage for most countries: www.economist.com

What is the risk to the hostage?
The survival rate for hostages is generally high. The greatest risk is during or just after abduction either through wounding or due to pre-existing medical conditions. After this, the risk is lowered, although exact risk varies from place to place.

How can wider family and friends help?
Your wider circle of family and friends can be a great help and an immensely valuable resource during the kidnap. Many kidnappings are short, but they do sometimes last for several months or longer, so it is important that you have a community of mutual support around you.

Consider allowing trusted, reliable, and level-headed members of the wider family or friends to be “gatekeepers” – protecting your privacy from external queries, and also checking facts for you so that you are not exposed to uninformed speculation. You might consider tasking different individuals with their own role, such as information gathering, passing on information to the rest of the family or friends, keeping a news log, and so on.

Your friends will probably be looking for a way to help, but often won’t know what to do and will wait for your lead. They might be able to help with daily household tasks, look after children to allow you time for yourself, or help with a particular aspect of the case. Friends may also have professional areas of expertise that might be helpful, such as legal or financial knowledge or links to people who could help.

In some kidnappings, a demonstration of public support can help with negotiations. You might want to organise – or ask a friend to organise – a petition or online campaign to highlight the plight of your loved one and keep them in the public eye. In some cases, you might be advised to avoid publicity for the safety of the hostage, so you will need to take advice about this.

Should I pay the ransom?
Hostage UK does not advise on ransom payment. Many governments have a long-standing policy not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. This is because paying ransoms and releasing prisoners may increase the risk of further hostage taking. It may be tempting to try to pay the ransom yourself, but you should be aware that there are many risks involved. Because most kidnaps take place in regions with poor infrastructure, it can be difficult to get the ransom payment to the hostage-takers safely. Another danger is that you might pay the ransom but the kidnappers might not release your relative, or the people you have paid the ransom to might not be the people who are holding your relative hostage. In some countries it is illegal to pay a ransom for the release of a hostage.

Should I talk to the media?
Hostage UK does not advise on media strategy.

Should I travel to the kidnap country?
Many families want to travel to the kidnap country because they feel they need to do something practical to help, become frustrated with the efforts of negotiators, or feel it will highlight the plight of their loved one. Hostage UK advises that travelling to the kidnap country should be a very last resort.

If you travel to the kidnap country, there is a risk that you might also be abducted by the kidnappers, or that you might attract the attention of other kidnap groups that operate in the region. It might also detract from the efforts of those negotiating the release of your loved one.

There may also be health risks to you from being in a high-stress situation, and in a geographical climate or cultural environment for which you may be unprepared.

Travelling to the kidnap country also carries the psychological risk of being a disappointing or inconclusive visit, of you being exploited or deceived, or the visit inflaming negotiations.

What are the legal and financial implications for me?
Because a kidnap target is an absent victim, it is important to take action on their behalf as soon as possible. Report the crime to the police and to the Foreign Office; and record their status as a missing person. Take steps to officially record your relative’s status as a missing person and notify as many government agencies and relevant organisations as possible (for example, your relative’s bank manager, mobile phone provider, benefits agencies, etc.).

If your relative has been kidnapped while travelling for their job, it is likely that the employer shall keep on paying their salary. If they do not, you should contact them in writing to request they continue payment. If your relative has been kidnapped while travelling for reasons unrelated to their work, then the continuation of their salary is likely to be at the discretion of the employer. You should put any requests to them in writing to ensure you keep a record of discussions.

Life insurance policies often cover against accidents and disability, but may not cover against disappearance. Specialist “K&R” (kidnap and ransom) insurance policies are available that provide benefits in case of a kidnap – for example, the cost of hiring experts to deal with the situation, or to cover part or all of a ransom payment. If your relative’s employer has such insurance, they will not be able to tell you as secrecy is a condition of the policy.

What can Hostage UK do to help me?
Hostage UK can help you with impartial advice, practical support, and pastoral care. We are an independent charity made up predominantly of people who have either been kidnapped, had a family member kidnapped, or have specialist expertise of hostages. We focus on the needs of the family and hostage. If you need our support, call our 24/7 local rate helpline on 0845 608 1360.

Although our primary function is to help British victims of a kidnap or their family members, we are happy to assist citizens of other countries as much as our resources allow. We can only do this from the UK, so support is usually offered via phone or email contact only. In some countries, we are able to put families in touch with charities and organisations who can help them there.

I am about to go to a kidnap hotspot: is there anything I can do to prepare?
First check the Foreign Office’s travel advice service for UK Government advice about travel to the country and area you are visiting. If you are travelling for work, ask your employer for additional information about the risks in the area you are visiting, and the precautions they are taking to keep you safe.

Hostage UK does not offer travel advice and does not endorse private sector advisory services or security consultancies.

For more information, please see our How To Cope guide. If you have any other questions not answered here, please contact us or call our 24/7 local rate helpline on 0845 608 1360.