A person who takes people hostage for a ransom is called a kidnapper.
Understanding the Term: Kidnapper
The term kidnapper specifically refers to an individual who commits the act of kidnapping. This act involves the unlawful taking and carrying away of a person, often followed by holding them captive. While kidnapping can occur for various reasons, obtaining a ransom is a primary motive in many cases.
According to the provided reference:
- Kidnapper(s): a person who abducts someone and holds them captive, typically to obtain a ransom.
This definition clearly links the act of holding someone captive, often for ransom, directly to the person committing the crime – the kidnapper.
Key Characteristics
A kidnapper's actions involve several distinct elements:
- Abduction: The initial act of taking the person.
- Captivity: Holding the person against their will.
- Motive: Often, the motivation is to extract a ransom, which is a sum of money or other demand made in exchange for the release of the captive. Other motives can include political reasons, forced marriage, or human trafficking, but ransom is a common driver.
Related Terms
While "kidnapper" is the most direct term, you might encounter related terminology:
- Abductor: A person who abducts someone. This term is broader as abduction doesn't always involve holding for ransom.
- Hostage-taker: Someone who seizes people as hostages. This term is used when the people are held captive, often in a specific location, and used as leverage, which frequently includes demands for ransom or political concessions. Kidnapping often involves moving the victim to a hidden location, whereas hostage-taking can occur in situ. However, holding a kidnapped person captive makes the kidnapper a type of hostage-taker in a broader sense.
In the context of taking someone specifically for a ransom, kidnapper is the precise and widely accepted term.
Legal Implications
Kidnapping is a severe felony with significant legal consequences in most jurisdictions. Laws vary, but the crime typically carries lengthy prison sentences, especially when factors like ransom, harm to the victim, or involvement of minors are present.
Understanding the term helps clarify the specific nature of the crime involving abduction and the demand for ransom.
