Ten Years of Torment for Lindt Cafe Siege Survivors
Survivors of the Lindt Cafe siege reflect on a decade of trauma and healing
Sydney, Australia, Lindt Cafe, PTSD, Terrorism, Survivors
Sydney: Louisa Hope quietly honors her experience by placing flowers outside the cafe where she was held hostage for nearly 17 hours. It’s a personal ritual she’s kept up every year since that day.
“It’s something that doesn’t go away,” she shared, reflecting on the traumatic Lindt Cafe siege.
One of her fellow hostages told her that he thinks about the cafe every morning and night. That’s how deep the impact runs.
Louisa has been dealing with PTSD, which brings on some pretty intense and random thoughts. It’s tough, but she’s learning to manage it.
On December 15, 2014, she was one of 18 people taken hostage by Man Haron Monis, who entered the cafe armed with a gun and explosives. The siege lasted 16.5 hours, and while some escaped, it ended tragically.
Two hostages lost their lives: Tori Johnson, the cafe director, and barrister Katrina Dawson, who was caught in the crossfire when police stormed the building.
In 2022, Louisa faced some really hard PTSD symptoms, including violent thoughts that would pop up out of nowhere. “I’d wake up in the middle of the night and sometimes need a cup of tea to calm down,” she said.
But she’s been working through it and feels a strong need to help others. “After the siege, I knew we had to turn this into something positive,” she explained.
Louisa helped start Victims of Terrorism Australia, a group aimed at supporting those affected by terrorism. “Being around people who understand is so important,” she said.
She’s also formed a close friendship with Ben Besant, a former officer who stormed the cafe and ended Monis’s life. He’s been open about his own struggles with PTSD.
Ben, who spent nearly 20 years in the police force, said the Lindt Cafe incident was the hardest for him to cope with. He still carries the weight of what he witnessed that day.
Now a carpenter, he encourages others to speak out about their feelings. “We can be stubborn about talking about our emotions, but you can’t do it alone,” he advised.
NSW Premier Chris Minns is set to lay a wreath at a ceremony to remember the victims. He acknowledged the ongoing pain for survivors and first responders, saying they still carry the memories of that tragic day.
If you or someone you know is struggling, Lifeline is available at 13 11 14 and beyondblue at 1300 22 4636.