Abduction

Definition and Differentiation

The term abduction technically refers to the act of taking a person away from where he/she belongs by any form of force or deception for various reasons. Abduction is sometimes interchangeably used with the word kidnapping. However, though not clear cut, there are differences between the two concepts. Kidnapping is usually committed to receive some kind of gain such as ransom. Kidnappers make their demands in exchange for the release of the captive.

Abduction differs from kidnapping in that abductors typically do not make demands and usually try to hide their actions. An abductor is mostly interested in the abductee for different reasons, while the kidnapper's focal point is not the captive, but some other gains through the captive. Even though both actions are considered crimes, punishments may vary depending on the jurisdiction.

The types of abduction vary based on the identity of the abductor, the purpose of the abduction, and other factors. Examples may vary from the abduction of a mature person to claim a ransom to bride abduction and child abduction. Cultural factors may play an important role in the act of abduction, but in general there seems to be a negative correlation between victimization and ability to protect oneself.

According to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) statistics, around 661,500 people were reported missing in the United States in 2012. More than 75 percent of these persons were children under 18, which approximately equals 500,000 individuals. This means an average of 1,370 children per Day, or one child every 63 seconds, are reported missing. David Finkelhor and Richard Ormrod found that 49 percent of abductions are committed by family members, while 27 percent are perpetuated by acquaintances and 24 percent by strangers. Most family abductions are committed by parents and abductees are generally younger than 6 years of age. Acquaintance kidnappings are mostly committed by juveniles against teenage females at residences and involve sexual or physical assault and frequently injury. Victims of stranger abductions generally are teenage females or school girls. These crimes primarily occur at outdoor locations and involve sexual assaults and the use of firearms.

Four out of five child abductions by strangers happen around a child's home. Nearly three-quarters of victims are girls. Kenneth Hanfland, Robert Keppel, and Joseph Weis indicate that most victims of abduction who are found dead are murdered within a short period of time, with 44 percent of victims killed within only one hour after abduction, 74 percent murdered within three hours, and 91 percent killed within 24 hours. Therefore, it is imperative for law enforcement to act quickly in child abduction cases.

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