STRANGULATION IN DV RELATIONSHIPS: THE BIGGEST RED FLAG

 STRANGULATION IN DV RELATIONSHIPS; THE BIGGEST RED FLAG

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  INTRODUCTION:

      When a person is conducting assessments or forensic exams

where domestic violence is involved, ANY reports of past

strangulation places the victim at the highest risk for serious

violence or even homicide at hands of domestic partner.

Strangulation is defined as: " the obstruction of blood vessels

and or air flow in the neck resulting in asphyxia."

      Strangulation can have serious, permanent, or even fatal

damage to the throat. Research shows that, of strangulation

victims, 97 percent are strangled by bare hands. 38% of victims

reported losing consciousness, 35% are strangled during a

sexual assault. 9% were pregnant. 70% of these victims,

have felt as though they were "going to die."

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WHY IS STRANGULATION THE BIGGEST RED FLAG?

    During an incident of strangulation, the airway is closed off,

making breathing impossible. Strangulation may obstruct the

carotid artery; depriving the brain of oxygen. Unconsciousness

may also occur due to blockage of the jugular vein; which prevents

deoxygenated blood from leaving the brain. The offender strangles

as a form of power and control; most importantly, control over

their intimate partner, via control of breath. This pressure can 

lead to loss of consciousness within five to ten seconds and

cause death within mere minutes. There is a very fine line

that exists between strangulation and death. Strangulation

sits just before homicide on the continuum of domestic violence.

Strangulation is now recognized as one of the MOST LETHAL

kinds of violence. 

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IDENTIFYING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

    Strangulation can lead to serious physical and psychological 

health problems. Common signs are petechia (pin point red dots

in the eye), blood red eyes, swollen lips. chord/rope burns,

and bruising of the neck.

    When a person is being strangled, they will often try to

regain control of their airway, by trying to pry the offender's hands

off of their neck/airway. By trying to remove the hands of the

perpetrator , it can leave scratch marks on the offender. 

    Strangulation may also coincide with other forms of domestic

violence that leave bruising (ie, kicking, pushing someone down

the stairs). Also, of significance, signs of strangulation are not

always visible.

   A victim may suffer internal injuries that to do not appear on

the outside of the body. Immediately after an attack, victims

may experience intense pain, swollen tongue, vision changes,

swollen neck, difficulty swallowing, trouble breathing, and or

voice and throat changes. The victim may also experience

neurological damage due to lack of oxygen. Symptoms of this

are memory loss, dizziness, vomiting, extreme weakness.

Strangulation may also have long term health consequences.

A person may also suffer from PTSD, depression, and risk of

blood clots to the brain.