Why the trauma never ends for abducted kids
In the UK alone, around 320 children a year are kidnapped. Shockingly, 50 of those are abducted by strangers. For those lucky enough to escape, readjusting to life can be traumatic. Natascha Kampusch made headlines worldwide after being kept prisoner for
Natascha Kampusch was just 10 years old when she was snatched from a quiet street in a suburb of Vienna on her way to school.
Her abductor, Wolfgang Priklopil, a reclusive electrical technician, kept her prisoner in his cellar where he beat, starved and sexually abused her for eight years before she was able to flee.
Since her escape, she’s found it hard to adjust to life in the real world. Now 29, Natascha struggles to form relationships, battles with weight problems, and has even been the victim of stalkers and online trolls.
Speaking exclusively to Closer after the release of her book 10 Years Of Freedom, Natascha says: “There are people I turn to for support but it’s hard to trust others after what I’ve been through. I have therapy and suffer from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
“I’ve also been stalked by two men after the publicity surrounding the case. They wrote me letters describing things they wanted to do to me and I had to get a restraining order against one of them. I’ve been trolled, too – people have called me a wh**e and a sl*t. On good days, I dismiss their comments, but I do get upset.”
LOSS OF IDENTITY
It’s not known how many children are abducted globally every year but, shockingly, in the UK it’s estimated 50 children under the age of 16 are snatched by strangers. Many of these children are found quickly. But for those who are held captive and then escape, it can be hard fitting back into society.
Clinical psychologist Emma Citron, who specialises in trauma, says: “People who have been abducted face severe mental health issues including depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder.
“They’ll suffer a loss of identity and will struggle to trust and form relationships because they have been removed from society and because of the complex relationship with their abductor.
“It can be hard for families to adapt, too. They may expect everything to return to normal, but the victim has been through something awful and are likely to be emotionally traumatised and feel isolated. It’s important victims and their families have therapy to process what they’ve been through.”
BUNDLED INTO A VAN
Natascha’s ordeal began in March 1998 when she was snatched by loner Priklopil and bundled into a van.
He kept her in a soundproofed cellar, where she was subjected to beatings and sexual abuse.
She recalls: “At first he’d bring me presents like croissants and toys. I was just a child and became dependent on him. But then the beatings started. He’d deny me food and shout abuse.
“Gradually he allowed me to go upstairs – but only to clean the house.
“I thought about taking my own life and tried to slit my wrists with knitting needles when I was 14.
“But I told myself I had to stay strong. I had a vision of myself as an 18-year-old, telling me: ‘You will break free from your prison.’”
Natascha’s chance to escape
came in 2006, when she was 18. Priklopil left her alone in the garden while he took a phone call and she ran for help. A neighbour called the police and she was identified by a childhood scar on her body.
Hours after her escape, Priklopil jumped in front of a train. Natascha’s feelings about his death remain mixed.
She says: “I had one person I was close to for many years and I depended on him. Sometimes I think it would have been better if he was alive and had to live in a prison, like I did. In a way, by killing himself he’s free.”
REBUILDING A LIFE
In the aftermath of her escape, Natascha had to rebuild her relationship with her family.
She is on good terms with her mother and two step-sisters, but rarely speaks to her father.
Natascha – who does not wish to discuss her romantic life – explains: “It took a long time to re-establish my relationship with my parents. They expected the young daughter they’d lost but I was an adult and they weren’t the people I’d left behind.”
Natascha now has a good friendship network, but admits at times she’s struggled to fit in. “Adjusting has been harder than I thought,” she explains. “I didn’t know about normal things like buying a house and paying taxes. I feel so behind. “I’ve also struggled with my weight. I was starved by my abductor, so that means I have a difficult relationship with food.”
Shockingly, the media frenzy around her release has attracted the attention of stalkers.
She adds: “One wrote to me and said he was in love with me and wanted to marry me. I’ve also received letters with men’s fantasies about ‘obedient women’ and how they want to humiliate me. It’s sickening.”
Now Natascha focuses her energy on charity projects, including campaigning for animal rights group PETA.
She says: “I am positive about the future and I want to do a lot more charity work. I spent eight years imprisoned, now I want to make the most of being free.”
10 Years Of Freedom by Natascha Kampusch is out now. Visit: 10yearsoffreedom.com