The life-changing impact of piracy: Victims’ narratives of survival and resilience

• In Event: Narrative Criminology

Abstract

Prompted by the rapid escalation of Somali piracy between 2008 and 2012, maritime piracy has received considerable attention by policy makers and researchers. Much of this attention, however, has concentrated on the economic and trade-related impacts of piracy. Despite the seriousness of this crime and the potential ramifications for its direct victims (e.g., merchant mariners, vessel protection detachments, passengers, etc.), the human costs of piracy have received less attention. Moreover, the catalog of criminological theories and approaches that potentially could help us to better understand this phenomenon (including victimology) have not been broadly exploited. In this paper, we build upon this limited body of work.

Adopting a narrative perspective, we examine the lived experiences of piracy victims conveyed to us in in-depth interviews. Their stories of injustice reveal the life-changing nature of this crime, one that often involves prolonged periods of confinement (in some cases well over a year) and repeat victimization, experiencing and witnessing acts of extreme violence ranging from physical assaults to what can only be described as torture, as well as other psychological harms resulting from living in constant fear, mock executions, threats, extreme isolation, no contact with loved ones and numerous other indignities. Through our thematic analysis of their narratives, it has become clear that their victimization had and continues to have profound impacts on their lives. Their victimization remains “fresh” in their memories and lives notwithstanding the passage of time. What is remarkable about the piracy victims’ stories is their resilience and their desire and willingness to help others who have experienced similar injustices. In addition to contributing to the growing body of literature on the human costs of piracy, our findings have implications for the support and care of victims of piracy and other serious crimes.

Authors

• Bryan C Peters, KU Leuven, Faculty of Law and Criminology

• Letizia Paoli, KU Leuven Faculty of Law and Criminology