Kidnapping

Risk of being kidnapped
Abduction

Nature

Abducting another person, or having abducted another person continues to hold them is kidnapping. The victim may be held for ransom or reward. They may be used as a shield or hostage. They might be held as slaves or involuntary servants. The victim may held to be terrorized or to terrorize another. They may be held so a crime can be committed or a government action prevented.

Background

Abduction of women, now considered a serious crime throughout the world is probably a survival of one of the most primitive forms of marriage, marriage by capture. At the beginning of the nineteenth century it was still in full force among some Slavs. Teutonic and Scandinavian tribes regularly resorted to forcible abduction of women for wives. As did the early Greeks and Romans. Wars were frequently carried out to capturing wives. Traces of the same custom are found in the Old Testament. Many traces of this practice are still found in the marriage rituals. In some cases the bride groom is expected to go through the motions of capturing his bride. The bride in some places hides until found by the groom. In some ceremonies the bride is expected to resist and struggle. The bride is carried over the threshold of the new household.

Incidence

Kidnapping remains a pervasive global issue, affecting both developed and developing countries. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, tens of thousands of cases are reported annually, with hotspots in Latin America, Africa, and South Asia. The problem spans criminal abductions for ransom, politically motivated kidnappings, and human trafficking, impacting civilians, aid workers, and tourists alike. The true scale is likely underreported due to fear, stigma, and lack of reliable data.
In 2023, a high-profile mass kidnapping occurred in Zamfara State, Nigeria, where over 80 students were abducted from a school by armed groups, highlighting the ongoing crisis.

Claim

Kidnapping is a grave and urgent problem that threatens the safety and freedom of individuals worldwide. It destroys lives, traumatizes families, and undermines trust in society. The fear and suffering caused by kidnapping cannot be overstated. Authorities must prioritize prevention, swift justice, and support for victims. Ignoring this issue allows criminals to operate with impunity. We must treat kidnapping as a critical crisis demanding immediate and decisive action from everyone.

Counter-claim

I strongly believe that kidnapping is not an important problem in today’s society. With modern security measures, law enforcement, and technology, the chances of being kidnapped are extremely low. Media exaggerates rare incidents, causing unnecessary fear. There are far more pressing issues—like healthcare, education, and poverty—that deserve our attention and resources. Focusing on kidnapping distracts us from solving real, widespread problems that actually impact people’s daily lives.