Looking for resources around advocacy in cases involving strangulation? Check out these resources connecting strangulation and domestic violence, signs and symptoms of strangulation, and what to look for as a first responder and healthcare worker. These resources are from the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention with a bonus article from Psychology Today.
The Truth About Domestic Violence Murders – Psychology Today
March 2017
“At the scene of a domestic violence call, a cop who hears, “Officer, I only just choked her a little bit,” should immediately change his or her perspective about the seriousness of the situation. Death by the hands of an intimate partner — meaning the attacker didn’t use a weapon — is not new, but our awareness of strangulations and our approach to investigating this type of assault is shifting.”
Five Myths About Strangulation
2020
“This resource was created by the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention to present the five myths about strangulation, with facts and solutions for each.”
Strangulation: The Red Flag Of Domestic Violence That We Never Discuss
December 2019
“When we think about domestic violence, we often think of broken limbs, bruises, or even a black eye. But there’s a form of domestic violence assault that we don’t talk about enough, and it’s the most deadly form of domestic violence — strangulation.”
Handling Strangulation Cases at the Front Lines
2018
“This webinar, hosted by the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, features Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell, Dr. Ralph Riviello, Gael Strack and three leading programs who have implemented strangulation policies and practices into their work – the Dove Program, the Tulsa Family Safety Center and One Safe Place. The webinar covers the most current information and research on the Danger Assessment tool, the medical consequences of a strangulation assault and describes best practices for a front line staff member to provide services to a strangled victim. Suzann Stewart, Michelle Morgan and Audrey Bergin discuss how they have integrated some practical approaches into their organizations and how front-line staff can communicate the medical aspects of strangulation with victims using a trauma informed approach.”
2017
“This webinar will highlight the unique challenges faced by medical providers and investigators when working with children who have histories or suspected histories of a strangulation assault. We will review some of the anatomic and physiologic differences between child and adult victims, as well as the ways child victims might present. Current recommendations for the acute, medical evaluation of pediatric strangulation will be discussed, as well as a current project to gain expert consensus on the best imaging studies to use in children.”
Signs and Symptoms of Strangulation
2020
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- Symptoms of strangulation in an adult – “This is a visual representation of the symptoms of strangulation. While visible signs may be present, symptoms represent injuries not visible to the naked eye; observable only to the victim.”
- Symptoms of strangulation in a child
- Signs of strangulation in an adult – “This is a visual representation of the signs of strangulation. Signs can include petechia, bruising, chest pain, redness, scratch marks, and swelling of the face.”
- Signs of strangulation in a child
“The Danger of Strangulation is a training video clip of San Diego Firefighter and Paramedic Mitch Mendler, Joe Russo, Danielle Bebee and San Diego Police Detective Rena Hernandez, who demonstrate how to educate a victim about the danger of strangulation using the new strangulation assessment card.”
*CW for description of violence
Strangulation Assessment Card
“The strangulation assessment card is a quick reference tool to help professionals conduct the initial assessment of a victim that has recently been strangled. The front page of this tool identifies what signs to look for, what symptoms the victim may be experiencing, and when to transport a victim to the hospital. It also includes a checklist of things to remember when conducting an initial assessment. On the reverse side of this tool, there are key points that should be communicated to a victim during their assessment, as well as key points that should be communicated to medical providers who may be assisting them.” Available in English and in Español.
Investigating Domestic Violence Strangulation
February 2017
“Strangulation is a very grave form of battery in domestic violence (DV). By some estimates, about 10% of all women who experience domestic violence will experience a near fatal strangulation by their partner, and they are 7x more likely to be killed by their partner than any other victim of DV. Strangulation is so serious that according to the National District Attorneys Association, 10% of all violent deaths (not just DV) in the United States are attributable, at least in part, to strangulation. That is a huge number, and one that demands police officers properly investigate and document strangulation cases.”