For the Cleveland Kidnapping Victims, a Tragic Sisterhood

[DonViejo]

by Christine Pelisek May 10, 2013 4:45 AM EDT

Despite the agony they endured, the three women held hostage in Cleveland likely forged bonds—possibly a key factor in their escape, criminal psychologists tell Christine Pelisek.

During their long years in captivity, amid the brutal beatings and rapes, the three women had no choice but to rely on each other.

Michelle Knight acted as midwife when Amanda Berry gave birth to their kidnapper’s child, administering an amateur form of CPR when the baby stopped breathing, according to a police report. This week, when the trio finally escaped their living hell, Gina DeJesus proudly showed off a drawing by the girl, now 6 years old, as if she were a doting aunt.

No one will truly know what kind of relationships the three women formed while they were held hostage for a decade in the home of former school bus driver Ariel Castro. Perhaps they were wary of each other, or too desensitized to connect on any level. More likely, they forged a sort of tragic sisterhood.

“It’s similar to being prisoners of war,” says former FBI hostage negotiator Clint Van Zandt. “You have to make up your mind to survive, and you draw strength from the people around you—you draw strength from their ability to survive. If she can survive, I can survive. They probably drew some strength from each other.”

full article
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/05/10/for-the-cleveland-kidnapping-victims-a-tragic-sisterhood.html

[bullwinkle428]

1. I hope they can continue to lean on each other for support in

the years to come, given the utterly incalculable emotional impact of their experience.