Joshua Boyle, former Canadian hostage in Afghanistan, faces 15 charges, including sexual assault. His wife, Caitlan, attributes it to the trauma from 5 years held captive by Taliban-influenced militia. Source 7x
Image from SITE Intel Group via AP via USAToday
Does Being A Former Hostage Make You More Violent? (Hover)
I don't think that a blanket answer can be given as everyone responds to extreme stress differently but one thing is for sure you mind will be altered so you think and do things differently to cope. When the stress is over you may not be able to switch off that 'survival' mode thus causing you to seem erratic or aggressive.
International Level: Specialist / Political Participation: 41 4.1%
Beyond the fact that it is disputed this man was ever a hostage (There are some details coming to light that he and his family were actively serving the Taliban as supports in a menial fashion), there is no simple answer to this question. There are some who suffer from Stockholm Symdrome during their time as a hostage, and there are some who feel violent towards a society that allowed them to be held hostage. A person's reaction to such a situation can be many things, but this guy has all the traits of a psychopath, with drugging people, abusing people and kidnapping, all in the very few months since his return. A typical Taliban hostage does not get conjugal visits with his wife, and in fact would have been severely beaten and not ever likely to be with his wife and kids ever again. How did he get two additional kids while a hostage? Stinks to high heaven.
The psychological impact of being a prisoner / hostage could be long lasting but it can also be a good excuse to feel you need to commit crimes against humanity and that cannot be allowed!
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