I live near the area where the Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby kidnappings occurred and our local stations have been saturated with coverage for weeks. I'm sure it's been heavily covered nationally, as well, since the boys' families appeared on Oprah Jan. 18.
Anyone have any thoughts on why Shawn never tried to contact his family or the authorities in the more than four years he was missing? He was allowed to make friends, roam the neighborhood, chat on the phone and internet, and stay home alone all day while his kidnapper went to work. Shawn even encountered cops on two separate occasions, yet he never gave any indication that he was in trouble. I have a feeling he didn't want to be found. It's such a mystery to me... Your thoughts?
2007-01-19 05:23:33 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in News & Events ➔ Current Events
The psychology of an abductee, especially when it happened to a child is very complex. I don't think we can possibly judge, especially since we don't know the extent of his torture. Look at this way, women live under the abuse of their husbands for years. They could get away, but don't. Why? It is certainly not because they enjoy what is being done to them. And Shawn was just a kid when this started. How can we expect him to do better than what adults do in similar situations?
2007-01-19 06:11:15 · answer #1 · answered by kathy_is_a_nurse 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have not watched the Oprah interview yet I have it Tivo but I will guess there could be the fact that he told Shawn that his family didnt want him an;ymore he could have convinced his some how that his life would be better with him insteasd of parents that try to make him do right I am not sure but I am slso interested in some answers
2007-01-19 13:34:51 · answer #2 · answered by cora7391 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's very confusing to me. The only explanation is, like you, I get the impression he didn't want to be found. But, if it is true that he was possibly "sexually assaulted" I find it hard to believe anyone would want to hang around in that environment (for 4 years!).
However, I have a feeling more is going on that the public isn't being made aware of yet.
2007-01-19 13:43:41 · answer #3 · answered by Seven Costanza 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Im sorry but has it occurred to anyone that boys just like girls are traumatized by sexual abuse?Maybe he felt dirty and creepy and never wanted to have to tell his folks what happened plus add to that all the stuff the kidnapper my of told him to make him feel like he could never go home.I dont beleive for a minute that he wasnt totally traumatized so save your judgement the child has been through enough.
2007-01-19 23:11:31 · answer #4 · answered by butterflyspy 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
This is not the Stockholm syndrome but what it is I do not know. Most 15yr olds I know in a similar situation would have been outa there a long time ago.
2007-01-19 14:23:11 · answer #5 · answered by mr_methane_gasman 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
they all queer.
2007-01-21 03:43:53 · answer #6 · answered by thevillageidiotxxxxx 4 · 0⤊ 5⤋