Strangulation by an intimate partner is one of the most significant risk factors for future lethality. Often referred to by victims-survivors as “choking”, strangulation involves the external compression of airways and blood flow, for example by using hands (manual) or a belt or rope (ligature). Strangulation is a highly gendered form of intimate partner abuse, where more than 90% of the victims-survivors identify as females who were strangled by males (Brady et al., 2022; New Zealand Law Commission, 2016; Pritchard et al., 2018; Sharman et al., 2023; Strack et al., 2001; Thomas et al., 2014; Wilson et al., 2022). Research suggests that strangulation is more likely to be present in abusive relationships where the perpetrator engages in coercive control, makes threats towards the victim-survivor, displays signs of excessive jealousy, including stalking, isolates the victim-survivor from friends and family, and where the victim is fearful and more likely to believe their abuser will kill them (Bendlin & Sheridan, 2019; Messing et al., 2018b; Stansfield & Williams, 2018; Thomas et al., 2014). Strangulation is often a rage-filled overreaction to a perceived slight by a controlling and possessive abuser (Brady et al., 2022; Gwinn et al., 2022; Macgregor et al., 2016; Thomas et al., 2014).
Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research
