Strangled Silence Broken: Reports Surge

New figures reveal a significant increase in reported strangulation incidents across England and Wales, with over 44,000 reports made to police in the last year. This rise is attributed to strangulation becoming a standalone criminal offence four years ago, a change championed by domestic abuse survivor and campaigner Rachel Williams. Williams, who experienced strangulation during an 18-year abusive relationship, stated that increased reporting indicates growing victim awareness of the seriousness of this act.

The Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS), established in October 2022, reports a 13% increase in strangulation offences prosecuted by the CPS since the law's introduction. Dr. Helen Bichard highlighted the critical impact of strangulation on the brain, noting that IFAS was created to ensure systems support the new legislation effectively. Guidelines for medical professionals have been developed to address the life-threatening complications of non-fatal strangulation, which can include strokes and brain injuries even without visible signs of harm.

More than 22,000 frontline professionals have received specialized training through IFAS. The government has also moved to make online pornography depicting strangulation illegal, as part of broader efforts to tackle violence against women and girls. Minister for Safeguarding Natalie Fleet emphasized the dangerous nature of strangulation and praised the collaborative efforts leading to improved responses across various sectors.