A suicidal hostage-taker threatens lives of the victims to get what they need such an escape route. At times, some of the victims may end up hurt as the hostage-taker tries to show they can hurt others if their demands are not met. A negotiator can use the Behavioral Change Stairway Model, created by the hostage negotiation unit in FBI. The approaches followed by can make the hostage take change their mind about death as the only solution to relieve pain and loss being experienced.
The first approach is actively listening to the suicidal individual which helps analyze their behavior. The negotiator should let the hostage taker be aware that they are being heard. Interrupting, evaluating or disagreeing with the individual should be avoided. It would sound as if the negotiator does not care about the suicidal person, and that would prompt them to hurt the victims or themselves. The negotiator should repeat the gist of what the hostage-taker indicated to show that they were heard. It is essential to ask questions as a way of moving the discussion forward and showing that the negotiator was attentive (Vecchi, Van Hasselt, & Romano, 2005). The questions should be open-ended to allow the suicidal person to answer extensively, thus giving the negotiator information they may need to show empathy. It will also help determine the vulnerabilities of the hostage-taker, which can be used during the negotiation. The questions should be carefully selected not to raise any suspicion to the individual, which may prompt death acts.
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The other method is gaining rapport of the suicidal person by showing empathy. It also gives the hostage-taker the feeling of being listened to and their demands will be met so that they do not kill any hostage. The negotiator shows that they understand where the suicidal person is coming from and even willing to offer any help possible. The approach helps create trust, and the hostage-taker starts to evaluate their situation and even considers taking the offer provided by the negotiator. The negotiator should apply effective pauses to give the individual time to reflect the suggestion provided. It is essential to be convincing and show the hostage-taker the advantage of releasing the victims instead of causing them harm.
The last step is influencing the decision the hostage-taker will make. Since trust has been created, next is working on the agreement terms. The negotiator has to make sure that no victims will be hurt. The conditions should appear to favor the suicidal person, and where necesary emotional blackmail can be applied. The negotiator can show the suicidal person of how beneficial their lives and those of the hostages are and the help the individual will receive after giving up the suicidal thought (Vecchi, 2009). After the agreement, the negotiator will guide actions such as coming out of the building where the hostage was happening with hands up.
The negotiator has to be convincing enough to challenge the suicidal belief successfully. Emotional appeal is best applied in this case, after learning about the suicidal person. It is essential to convince them of the hep they will receive and how accepting help will benefit every person involved.
References
Vecchi, G. M. (2009). Conflict & crisis communication: The behavioral influence stairway model and suicide intervention. Annals of the American Psychotherapy Association , 12 (2), 32-40.
Vecchi, G. M., Van Hasselt, V. B., & Romano, S. J. (2005). Crisis (hostage) negotiation: Current strategies and issues in high-risk conflict resolution. Aggression and Violent Behavior , 10 (5), 533-551.
