| This study examines the phenomenon of kidnapping experienced by ten survivors who were kidnapped in Colombia South America by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-PC) and the Army for National Liberation (ELN). It is a qualitative, open-ended study in which the researcher, elicited data from interviews with ten survivors. From this information, the theme clusters of subjective perceptions of imminent danger, abandonment, emotional and physical abuse, relationships, and transformation in the lives of the survivors surfaced. The structural meaning of the understanding of kidnapping brought up a sense of deprivation and interpersonal conflict in the lives of ten participants who survived to tell the story regarding their lived experience of kidnapping. This study informs conflict resolution practice, shows the transition from victim to survivor, and contributes to enhance knowledge about those who survive the kidnapping experience to better understand their needs once they come back from captivity.;This study gave voice to oppressed kidnapped victims and their efforts to contest deficient state policies regarding the protection of the survivors and their families during and after their years of kidnapping. Moreover, this research study centers on a social phenomenon at specific points of space and time in the lives of the survivors to form a picture of the lived experience of kidnapping. Phenomenological analysis facilitated the study's journey of inquiry to understand how participants made sense of their experience. |
