A latching system for and a method of latching a first member to a second member are provided. The latching system includes a latching mechanism including a displaceable feature which, when operatively displaced, allows a striker to engage with a housing of the latching mechanism, at a recess defined by the housing, to provide supplementary or auxiliary latching force. The displaceable feature may be displaced by an actuating load transmitted between the striker and the latching mechanism, where the actuating load is substantially greater than the nominal load experienced by the latching system during ordinary latching conditions. The engagement of the striker with the housing at the recess may transfer a portion of the actuating load to the housing during the event generating the actuating load, thereby increasing the latching strength of the latching system and reducing the potential for deformation or distortion of the latching element during the event.