Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

Victims of which type of crime may exhibit "Stockholm syndrome"?

1. Domestic violence victims

2. Human trafficking victims

3. Kidnapping victims

4. Robbery victims

The correct answer is: Human trafficking victims

The phenomenon known as "Stockholm syndrome" often emerges in situations where a victim develops positive feelings, loyalty, or an emotional bond toward their captor or abuser. This psychological response is most commonly associated with victims of human trafficking. In this context, victims may come to identify with and feel compassion for their captors, despite the abusive and controlling circumstances they are in. This can happen as victims often experience extreme vulnerability, manipulation, and trauma, leading them to perceive their captors as both a threat and a source of survival. While domestic violence and kidnapping situations can also lead to complex emotional dynamics between the perpetrator and the victim, the unique nature of human trafficking—with its prolonged manipulation and coercive control—creates a more potent environment for Stockholm syndrome to develop. Understanding this phenomenon is important for law enforcement and support services when working with victims in these scenarios.