Loving to Survive

The Presence of Stockholm Syndrome in Victims Of Domestic Violence

“…Many of the victims of the attack testified that the aggressors were defending them from the police, did not file a complaint wanting to protect the aggressors, in their view induced by the kidnappers the police were the negative characters. Graham (1994) also states the phenomenon of the bank attack in Stockholm, Sweden, where one of the female hostages fell in love with the aggressor and even had sexual relations with this. The aggressor managed to manipulate her so that she believed that the authorities wanted to harm them, protecting him and refuses to cooperate with the authorities.…”

“…"The syndrome is reinforced by aspects of the situation that decrease the psychological distance between the hostage and robber and this increases the likelihood that the hostage will turn to the robber and not to others, for help in treatment of traumatic experience. Note that some of the variables considered to promote the syndrome they are opposite or contradictory" (Graham et al, 1994).…”

“…"The tendency not to interfere in the internal quarrels of a family in the name of protecting space her intimate relationship led to a lower arrest rate of abusers married to the victim against foreign abusers, and even to lighter punishments for them compared to those applied for the same act but initiated from the position of a stranger, of a person not involved in a relationship formalized with the victim" (Turliuc et al, 2009). Graham (1994) states that many women deny men's violence against them, and find it impossible to notice that violence is an effort to maintain male dominance, female subjugation and eventually, forced love.…”

“…Muntean & Muntean (2011) record that the female victim becomes unable to withdraw from a violent relationship, reducing even the ability to benefit from the support it would, could receive. Graham et al, (1994) state that the bully will use threats for intimidation the victim by inducing fear to prevent escape. An example of a threat is "I'll kill you if you leave me".…”

“…As any other syndrome, it has its symptoms, so Graham (1994) identifies the symptoms of Stockholm syndrome through a study. The symptoms are very similar with those of post-traumatic stress disorder, specifically the victim experiences insomnia, nightmares, problems with concentration, distrust.…”