Strangulation is a significant indicator that domestic abuse will turn deadly, experts say

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Tuesday, March 26, 2024   11:30 am

(Ottawa)—This week, police, victim advocates, medical staff, military personnel and other stakeholders are coming together in Ottawa during a two-day education session by The Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention on the risks associated to strangulation.

“Strangulation has been identified as one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence and sexual violence; unconsciousness may occur within seconds and death within minutes,” say Gael Strack and Casey Gwinn, the Co-founders of the Institute on Strangulation Prevention, who will both be presenting in Ottawa. “A person who has suffered a non-fatal strangulation incident with their intimate partner is 750% more likely to be killed by the same offender.” 

“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,” says Gwinn, and he adds, “So, when you hear ‘He choked me,’ now we know you are at the edge of homicide.”

In Canada, non-fatal Strangulation is a criminal offence of Assault Causing Bodily Harm, and where evidence presents, strangulation may lead to criminal charges of attempted murder.

Strangulation is a medical emergency. When informed on scene of a strangulation, Ottawa Police officers request medical assistance to victims, per our Service policy.

Melanie Winwood is the Senior Advisor-Violence Against Women at the Ottawa Police Service.  She says: “A common goal for both OPS and our partners in the Violence Against Women (VAW) sector is ensuring that women who come forward to report abuse from a partner are listened to, believed, and given the supports and resources they need. It is very difficult to make the decision to come forward as there are many risks associated with reporting intimate partner violence and our goal is to create an environment where women can feel safe and comfortable to do so.” 

She adds, “Bringing in Gael and Casey to offer this training is an amazing opportunity to learn of the prevalence of strangulation as well as the risks associated with it. It allows us to connect with professionals from various disciplines who have the same goal of supporting victims of violence. We definitely hear accounts of victims who report being strangled. Having increased knowledge around this issue is invaluable to achieving the best outcome possible.”

If a crime is in progress, please call 9-1-1.  If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please call our Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 7300. If you are prompted to leave a message, please do so, and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

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 Media note: Gael Strack and Casey Gwinn, Co-founders of the Institute on Strangulation Prevention, will be available to speak with media by phone on Wednesday, March 27^th, between 12:45 pm and 1:15pm.  Interested media are asked to RSVP with media.relations@ottawapolice.ca by 10:30am that day. 

CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

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Backgrounder - Strangulation is not choking.

Strangulation is external pressure to the neck, by any means, that obstructs blood flow and/or air flow in the neck. Strangulation is a form of asphyxia. It is generally done intentionally. Choking is a partial or complete obstruction of the airway, often due to an object/foreign body, such as choking on a piece of food.

The Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention reports that many offenders of mass murder exhibited warning signs/violent behavior prior to committing targeted public violence; one of these behaviors is often strangulation of an intimate partner.  They add that, ‘In 2017, 44 American peace officers were shot and killed across the United States in the line of duty. 33 of those officers were killed by an offender with a public record history of at least one non-fatal strangulation incident.’

The majority of strangulation attacks do not leave any visible external injuries on the victim. “Our original study in 1995 proved most victims of strangulation will not have visible external injuries and will not understand the danger. The lack of injuries and the lack of training caused the criminal justice system to minimize strangulation.  We failed victims. But now we know – non-fatal strangulation cases are lethal and have serious immediate and long-term health consequences,’ says Strack. Dr. William Smock, Police Surgeon, Louisville Metro Police Department, who works closely with the Institute, and says, “Every second the brain is deprived of oxygen, millions of brain cells die. So by rendering someone unconscious, you are inducing brain damage.”  “Loss of consciousness can occur within 5-10 seconds. Death can occur within minutes and brain damage somewhere in between.” [Strack, G., McClane, G., & Hawley, D. (2001). A Review of 300 Attempted Strangulation Cases: Part I: Criminal Legal Issues. Journal of Emergency Medicine, 21(3). 303-309].

Medical risks associated with Strangulation include heightened risk of stroke, thyroid problems, TBI, injury to arteries and veins in the throat, injuries to the vocal box and more.  It is important to understand that some people may not present with any symptoms after having been strangled.  It is strongly advised that victims seek medical assessment. Ottawa Hospitals have respective policies on treatment of strangulation cases.