Just because a victim lacks any external signs of strangulation does not mean that they are not injured. Signs of strangulation are not always visible In these cases, conducting an immediate medical exam could prove necessary in saving the victim’s life. Physically, the victim may have difficulty breathing, speaking, and swallowing or experience nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, headache, involuntary urination and/or defecation (common in pregnant victims). Strangulation may also coincide with other forms of domestic violence that leave bruising due to kicking, hitting, or pushing down the stairs.
When someone is being strangled, they will often try to regain control of their airway, by trying to pry the hands of the perpetrator off of them which can leave injuries on their neck and also leave the assailant with scratch marks or injuries on their face and hands. Common visible signs of strangulation include petechiae (red spots) in the eyes, blood-red eyes, swollen lips, and cord, rope burns, scratches, and bruising (particularly on the neck). Strangulation can lead to serious physical and psychological health problems.
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How to identify signs and symptoms of strangulation Professionals should also consider other high-risk factors such as the patient and/or perpetrator’s access to firearms, if the patient is suicidal, sexual violence, and injury to animals. Current laws focus on the cutting off of another person’s blood flow or breathing, making it easier to prosecute even without visible injury. Since 2010, criminal laws reflecting the severity of strangulation have passed in at least 45 states in the US.ĭepending on state law, strangulation can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, but can also be coupled with attempted homicide charges based on the severity. Over the past 20 years, prosecutors and physicians have paid closer attention to the serious danger caused by strangulation, and strangulation is now recognized as one of the most lethal forms of violence. This pressure can lead to a loss of consciousness within five to ten seconds and cause death within a few minutes.īecause such a thin line exists between unconsciousness and death, strangulation sits just before homicide on the continuum of domestic violence risk assessment. The perpetrator strangles as a form of power and control over their intimate partner by controlling their breathing. Unconsciousness may also occur due to the blocking of the jugular veins which prevents deoxygenated blood from exiting the brain. Strangulation may obstruct the carotid arteries in the neck, depriving the brain of oxygen. Choking, meanwhile, refers to a blockage inside the throat which makes it hard to breathe.ĭuring an incidence of strangulation, closing off the airway makes breathing impossible, and a victim may lose consciousness due to the blocking of blood flow to and from the brain. Not to be confused with “choking”, strangulation refers to when pressure is applied from the outside, cutting off airflow and/or blood vessels in the neck, preventing oxygen from reaching the brain. Why reported strangulation is a big warning sign for professionals Of the victims, 97 percent are strangled by hands 38 percent reported losing consciousness 35 percent are strangled during sexual assault/abuse 9 percent are also pregnant, and 70 percent of strangled women believed they were going to die. One in four women will experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime, and of those, up to 68 percent will suffer near-fatal strangulation at the hands of their partner. The Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention defines strangulation as “the obstruction of blood vessels and/or airflow in the neck resulting in asphyxia.” This type of assault can have serious, permanent, or even fatal damage to the victim’s throat or brain.ĭata on strangulation reveals a glaring picture of the severity of this type of assault. By recognizing signs of strangulation, healthcare providers can help to mitigate long-term damage, properly document any evidence of abuse, and provide referrals for seeking safety assistance.
When conducting assessments or forensic exams with a victim of domestic violence (DV), any reported history of strangulation places the person at a higher risk for more serious violence or homicide by the hands of their intimate partner. As a part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we explain the common signs and symptoms of strangulation in the hopes of helping clinicians recognize, treat, and safety plan with victims to prevent future violence.
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