What About Me? Coping With the Abduction of a Brother or Sister

• NCJ Number: 217714
• Date Published: May 2007
• Length: 69 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2005-MC-CX-K116
• Agencies: OJJDP
• Publication Type: Instructional Material
• Award: MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Annotation

Based largely on input from eight children who have experienced the abduction of a brother or sister by a nonfamily member, this booklet is designed to provide help, support, and guidance to children who are going through this type of trauma.

Abstract

The style of the booklet is a conversation between the eight children and the reader, who is going through the same experience. They share suggestions about what has been most helpful in enabling them to cope with their loss and what to avoid. Some suggestions offered are to talk to a trusted person about one's feelings, keep a journal about one's feelings, expect that feelings will be constantly changing, take a break from sad feelings to have fun and laugh, and pursue interests that take one's mind off the abduction. Following such general advice, the booklet focuses on how to manage feelings and behaviors in various domains of activity and interactions. Separate sections of the booklet are entitled "Home," "Family," "Law Enforcement," "The Media," "School and Work," "Holidays and Anniversaries," and "When Your Brother or Sister Comes Home." Under each of these topics, the children discuss their experiences in these various situations and offer suggestions for how to deal with difficulties that might arise. The booklet also contains a section with "Messages of Hope," suggestions for where to find more help, and a message for parents or older brothers and sisters. The booklet concludes with activities to be completed in the book. They are categorized according to age level.