Kidnapping Negotiations
Reliant deeply values our people, including the local church and believers. Hostage negotiation does not always entail or obligate financial payments. Therefore, we remain open to negotiation in order to pursue with all our effort the safe return of our personnel. We recognize that hostage negotiation is a skill beyond our organization’s capability and therefore mandate that we consult with professionals, preferably those specializing in missions organizations.
We also recognize that the US Government could act to prevent any non-profit organizations from raising money if it views the money could be used to pay for a ransom. Therefore, we intentionally limit our development staff from unintentionally causing undue investigations or seizure of normal operating funds in the event of a kidnapping.
In all instances of kidnapping, Reliant will prioritize the safe return of all personnel. As long as it conforms with its religious beliefs, security priorities, and core values, Reliant will negotiate for the safe return of hostages with the assistance of professional negotiators.
In accordance with our security priorities, no concessions will be made that could reveal the identities of or put other international workers or local believers at risk of physical harm, extortion, or governmental persecution. Crisis Management Team members should brief the development staff on the need for discretion in all fundraising efforts during the crisis. Any actions viewed as contributing funds to or raising fund with the attempt to pay enemy combatants may result in asset seizure.
Payment of Ransom
As a standard, Reliant as an organization does not pay ransom. If a kidnapper is asking for the payment of a ransom in order to release a Reliant team member, provide him/her with this number: 850-735-4268. As written above, Reliant will prioritize the safe return of all personnel and is therefore willing to negotiate with the kidnapper (with the assistance of a professional negotiator). During training and onboarding, if a Reliant team member has questions regarding the payment of ransom, or would like more information regarding Reliant's policy, they can contact Matt Elkins: matt.elkins@reliant.org.
Family Relocation
Family members need love and support during this traumatic time. It also is a comfort to the hostage to know that their family will be safe from harm and cared for during their captivity. Reliant will care for our families through appropriate relocation to minimize risk to the family members and to maximize the care available to them through the event.
In any case of kidnapping or hostage taking, all immediate family members of the victim will be relocated as soon as possible to a separate, safe location. This relocation will normally take place to a neighboring country or the international worker's country of origin. In specific cases, the Crisis Management Team may waive this policy if doing so is in the best interests of the crisis management effort.
Captivity Strategies
The below are very basic strategies are to prepare you in the event a captivity or Kidnapping, Hostage-Taking, and Extortion takes place. If captivity is among your risks, it is highly recommended to attend an in-person training that provides more in-depth addressing of this topic.
5 Phases of Captivity while dealing with the unknown
- Surveillance - Trust your instincts, be predictably unpredictable
- Capture - Outwardly submissive and compliant, while gaining as much information as possible. Let the captors believe they are in control. You are in charge of yourself.
- Movement - Watch, Listen, gain information as much as possible. Look for opportunities to escape.
- Internment - Boredom, nothing to do, isolation. Humanizing ourselves in this stage is crucial. Opportunities to share the gospel and live out our personal faith under duress. Wisely test boundaries.
- Resolution - Be cooperative and compliant. A rollercoaster of emotions. You need to maintain a will to survive, encourage negotiations through your behavior. Lay low, don't run to your rescuers during an armed invasion, even if you are initially lumped with the captors.
Tips for humanizing ourselves
- Sharing how we are feeling - "I'm sick, not feeling good, etc"
- Ask about their kids & families. Talk about your own. Find connections and common ground.
- Remain humble and respectful
- Avoid Political/Controversial/Sexual/Inappropriate Conversations
Reducing Exploitation
- In captivity, you are the leverage for exploiting another entity, not the victim of exploitation.
- Try to avoid isolation to reduce the chance of sexual assault. If you are captured with someone, try your best to stay together. Try to appear unattractive to make advances counterproductive such as feign pregnancy, illness, urination, etc.
