Abduction vs Kidnapping
The English language contains numerous words with similar meanings that often confuse people, including native speakers. One such pair of words is “Abduction” and “Kidnapping,” which are frequently used interchangeably in various contexts. However, these two terms are not synonyms, and there are differences between them, as discussed in this article.
Abduction
Abduction refers to the act of using deceit or force to carry someone away without revealing the intent. Legally, this term is employed in cases where the abductor is a known person or has a relationship with the person being taken away. Abduction cases often occur during divorce proceedings when courts award custody of children to one parent. In the eyes of the law, both minors and adults can be abducted. The abductor is usually known to the person being abducted, and there is no motive to hold the person hostage for ransom. The captive person is considered a reward in and of themselves, and the abductor does not make any demands for their return.
Kidnapping
This is a cognizable offense that involves forcibly taking a minor away from their family without the consent of their parents or guardians. A kidnapper always has a profit motive in mind and attempts to gain media attention to publicize the fact that they have a hostage, for whom they demand money from the captive’s loved ones. In kidnapping cases, the hostage is used as a negotiating tool to obtain a monetary reward. In most instances, the kidnapped person is safely returned; however, in some cases, the hostage is tragically killed by the kidnapper for fear of the law, even after receiving the ransom.
Key Takeaways
• The law differentiates between abduction and kidnapping, which results in differences in penalties for the two offenses. Penalties often depend on the circumstances and any torture inflicted on the abductee or captive.
• Abduction does not involve ransom, as the hostage is considered a reward for the abductor. In contrast, kidnapping is committed primarily to fulfill certain demands later revealed through media or telephone. Abductors do not seek media attention, and their motives remain unclear until they are captured.
• In kidnapping cases, the victim must be a minor, whereas, in abduction cases, the victim can be a minor or an adult.
