In South Africa, where car hijackings are a terrifying reality, victims often endure more than just the loss of their vehicle.
Car hijackings are not just individual traumas—it is a national crisis.
According to the South African Police Service, there are approximately 60 car hijackings a day in South Africa, leaving countless survivors struggling with the aftermath.
The unpredictability of these crimes makes them particularly terrifying; a routine drive home can suddenly turn into a life-threatening ordeal.
The psychological scars can last a lifetime, with many survivors battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and an overwhelming sense of vulnerability.
While the immediate fear and physical danger of a hijacking are undeniable, it is the lingering mental and emotional aftermath that can be just as devastating.
Motoring journalist Jason Woosey knows this all too well.
As a motoring journalist, test-driving luxury vehicles is part of his job and the hijacking has changed the way he approaches his job. “It makes me a target, and that awareness is something I now carry with me constantly,”
He was hijacked and held captive for two harrowing hours by two men impersonating police officers. Forced into his vehicle, blindfolded, and driven around aimlessly, Woosey’s fear of the unknown was all-consuming.
His car was stopped multiple times, with new voices and figures coming and going. Not knowing whether he would make it out alive, he was eventually abandoned in an isolated location without a phone or identification. Finding his way to a police station, he was eventually taken home, but the experience would haunt him long after that night.
The psychological impact of car hijacking
Mental health professionals highlight that the effects of hijacking are similar to those experienced by victims of violent crime.
PTSD is one of the most common conditions seen in hijacking survivors. Victims often relive the trauma through nightmares and flashbacks. They may develop severe anxiety, struggle to sleep, and even avoid driving or going near areas that remind them of the attack.
Woosey explains how it affected him and how he dealt with it, saying: “In the days that followed, I would wake up with flashbacks from the ordeal.”
For some, the effects manifest as hypervigilance. Everyday activities, like stopping at a traffic light or pulling into a driveway, can trigger extreme fear.
Many survivors experience an ongoing sense of danger, even when there is no immediate threat. This constant state of alertness is exhausting and can lead to depression and social withdrawal.
The importance of seeking help
Despite the emotional distress, many hijacking victims do not seek professional assistance, often due to stigma or the belief that they should simply “move on.” However, untreated trauma can escalate into long-term mental health issues.
Professional counselling is vital for recovery. Trauma doesn’t just disappear. Therapy helps victims process the event, manage triggers, and develop coping strategies to regain control of their lives.
Survivors need more than just safety tips; they need emotional and psychological support. Community awareness and accessible mental health services are essential in addressing the hidden wounds of hijacking victims.
For Woosey, therapy was instrumental in helping him reclaim a sense of normalcy. “It helped me make sense of the experience and deal with the psychological aftershocks,” he says.
Without proper intervention, many victims live in silent suffering, their mental health deteriorating over time.
Woosey’s advice to fellow hijacking survivors is clear: seek professional help. “I strongly advise anyone who has gone through something like this to get counselling. It really makes a difference.
“Having counselling after the experience really helped me to deal with the aftereffects.”
While no one can predict when or where a hijacking might occur, being mentally prepared for the aftermath is crucial. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a hijacking, seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a step toward healing.
Woosey refuses to let fear dictate his actions. His story serves as both a warning and a message of hope: recovery is possible, but only if we acknowledge the profound impact of trauma and take the necessary steps to heal.
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