For our 16 Days of Activism series, our Trauma Ambassadors have shared this blog on non fatal strangulation.
Content warning – please be aware that this account mentions physical and sexual violence, which some people may find triggering. Do not read unless you feel comfortable to do so.
Strangulation has always been a physical tactic used in acts of violence, including in situations of domestic and sexual abuse, where it is used to control and instil fear into the victim, ensuring their compliance. Domestic abuse charity SafeLives estimates that more than 20,000 victims in the UK experience strangulation each year. Any type of restriction of the airways is classed as a ‘red flag’ to services such as the police as it is an indicator of high-risk abuse with potentially fatal consequences.
However, it has become increasingly popular for strangulation to be used in consensual sexual encounters, being referred to usually in this context as choking or breath play.
Nonetheless, strangulation is an extremely dangerous practice in any setting, with the potential to cause significant injuries and devastating outcomes.
Strangulation happens when external pressure is applied to the neck. This can lead to the blood vessels and/or airway being restricted, which in turn results in difficulty breathing and/or a reduction in the circulation of the blood, reducing oxygen to the brain. There are a number of different ways in which a person can strangle themselves or another person, including manually by putting their hand or hands around the neck, being put in a chokehold/headlock or by wrapping something tightly around the neck, such as a belt or rope.
The Institute for Addressing Strangulation details what may happen during and after strangulation.
At the time of being strangled:
- Pain in your neck
- Difficulty or pain with breathing and swallowing
- Eye problems – seeing stars, blurred or loss of vision (sight)
- Hearing problems – loss of hearing, or a ringing, popping or roaring noise
- Unconsciousness Strangulation may also cause a loss of control of your bladder or bowel so that you wet or soil yourself
- It might feel scary if you are unable to breath
After strangulation:
- Pain in your neck
- Difficulty or pain with breathing and swallowing
- Confusion, feeling agitated
- Voice changes, such as a husky or deep voice
- Headache, feeling sick or being sick.
Importantly, the reduction in oxygen to the brain can mean that the individual never fully remembers what happened to them during the act of strangulation, and if the strangulation is repeated, such as in situations of domestic abuse, the repeated lack of oxygen to the brain can result in permanent issues including forgetfulness, confusion and lack of concentration. Strangulation can also lead to the person having a stroke.
Non-fatal strangulation was made a specific offence as part of the UK government’s Domestic Abuse Act in 2022. This means that, if serious harm occurs to the person being strangled, the person who is strangling them cannot use consent as a defence and will be liable for legal repercussions. Put simply, there is no safe way to strangle someone without significant potential risk. 13% of female homicide victims and 4% of male homicide victims were killed by strangulation in the year ending March 2023. In this time period, strangulation was the joint second most common method of killing women.
If you or someone else has been strangled, call 999 immediately if it is an emergency, or otherwise contact the non-emergency medical services.
There is also a range of support if strangulation has occurred as a result of violent crime, domestic abuse and other issues. The Healthwatch Essex Information and Guidance team can offer signposting and avenues of support, and are available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
Sharon Westfield de Cortez
Information & Guidance Manager
If you would like to access support around any of the issues mentioned in this blog, or to share your own lived experience, give the Healthwatch Essex Information & Guidance Service a call on 0300 500 1895, email [email protected] or text/WhatsApp on 07712 395398.
If you would like to find out more about the Trauma Ambassador Group and our work, you can find out more here.