HWN Suggests

Strangulation Media Guide

The most dangerous domestic violence offenders strangle their victims. The most violent rapists strangle their victims. We used to think all abusers were equal. They are not. Our research has now made clear that when a man puts his hands around a woman’s neck, he has just raised his hand and said, “I’M A KILLER.” They are more likely to kill police officers, to kill children, and to later kill their partners. So, when you hear “He choked me”, now we know YOU ARE THE EDGE OF A HOMICIDE.

read full article

Articles of Interest

Clinical Focus: Strangulation and Hanging Injuries

The relatively superficial and unprotected jugular veins in the neck are quite vulnerable to compression by external forces. Obstruction of venous outflow from the brain leads to stagnant hypoxia and loss of consciousness in as little as 15 seconds.

Deadly 'Choking Game' Comes With Big Risks

New Hampshire's chief medical examiner, who has studied the trend, explains: "As the brain is deprived of oxygen, there's this sensation of lightheadedness, which is interpreted as a high. And then once the pressure is released and blood flow is restored in a fashion, they see stars and the feeling is described as a rush," he said.

Erotic Asphyxiation: The Widespread and Potentially Fatal Fetish That Nobody Will Talk About

We talked to some people who get off on choking about the pleasure, shame, and dangers involved.

Pediatric Strangulation

Strangulation injuries are defined as any injury that results from a compressive force to the neck, leading to vascular and airway occlusion. Such forces might include hanging or strangulation (postural, ligature, or manual). Strangulation is implicated in 10% of violent deaths in the United States, while hanging is the second most common form of death by suicide.

Strangulation Injuries

Strangulation is a well-recognized event in forensic science with many studies in the literature devoted to that field. It has been estimated that strangulation accounts for 2.5% of traumatic deaths worldwide6 and up to 10% of violent deaths in the United States.

What are the differences between strangulation, non-fatal and fatal strangulation and suffocation?

Suffocation is different to strangulation. Suffocation is to deprive a person of air which affects their normal breathing. Suffocation is sometimes referred to as asphyxiation or smothering.

What You Need to Know About Strangulation

Strangulation is the external compression of the neck and can impede blood flow (oxygen) to or from the brain through direct compression. Choking refers to an object in the upper airway that impedes oxygen intake and can occur intentionally or accidentally. Focus on the facts of the case rather than the terminology to correctly assess the situation.

‘Choking’ during sex is on the rise – we need sex education about consent more than ever

“Truthfully, I wouldn’t have said yes if I knew he was going to choke me, and I think he knew that too.”

Resources

Institute for Addressing Strangulation

The Institute for Addressing Strangulation was established in 2022 following the introduction of new legislation on strangulation and suffocation as a stand-alone offence.

Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention

The Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention (Institute), a program of Alliance for HOPE International, was launched in October 2011. The Institute was developed in response to the increasing demand for Intimate Partner Violence Strangulation Crimes training and technical assistance (consulting, planning and support services) from communities across the world.