Intensified Strangulation Cases Reported by Police: Numerous Investigations Fail to Progress Efficiently
In the last year, over 70% of non-fatal strangulation cases have been dismissed due to evidential issues, according to exclusive data we've obtained. This crime became a standalone offense in England and Wales three years ago, as part of landmark legislation intended to protect domestic abuse victims. However, the data indicates mixed outcomes for victims.
One survivor, who goes by the name 'Sarah', remembers the first time her ex-partner strangled her, just a year into their relationship. "He climbed on top of me. He put his hands around my throat, and he pinned me down with the strength of his body," she recounted. Despite her pleas to stop, he continued. This was just the beginning of a pattern of abuse that continued throughout their relationship.
"He strangled me when I was pregnant. He strangled me whether my children were in the house or not. It always happened during sex," Sarah said. She later learned that this was rape, as it had become so normalised for her. Tragically, she suffered a miscarriage due to the physical abuse.
Strangulation is a form of control for the perpetrators, giving them a sense of dominance. Sarah says her ex-partner threatened her life repeatedly, making her fear for her life. This fear of death is common among victims of strangulation and is recognised as a tool of control and intimidation.
According to a US study, victims of domestic abuse are seven times more likely to be murdered by their current or former partner if there has been a previous incident of non-fatal strangulation. Yet, this form of violence often leaves no obvious external signs of injury, making it difficult to investigate and prosecute.
If evidence of injury is not present immediately, it might not develop until later, depending on the individual's bruising patterns. In some cases, the absence of visible injury can lead to insufficient evidence for a police case. Sometimes, victims do not feel supported or believe in the process, leading them to drop out of the investigation.
The Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS) has been monitoring the standalone offense since its introduction and recently shared their report findings with us. They stated that much work still needs to be done to better protect victims of strangulation.
Data from the Home Office shows that over 63,000 crimes of non-fatal strangulation or suffocation were recorded by police in England and Wales in the first two years under the legislation. However, a significant number of investigations result in no further action due to evidential difficulties. This can happen if police or prosecutors do not believe there is enough evidence to proceed, or if the victim does not support the investigation.
Louisa Rolfe, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for domestic abuse, acknowledges that securing prosecutions for strangulation is a priority for tackling violence against women and girls. Police investigators need to secure detailed evidence rapidly and present the best possible case to prosecutors and juries. Despite these challenges, investigators are determined to improve the prosecution rate.
Overall, only around half of the number of strangulation offenses charged by police were prosecuted in the first year, and less than half of those secured a conviction. Evidential difficulties, victim reluctance, and the available data suggest that there are still significant obstacles to overcome in effectively prosecuting and supporting survivors of non-fatal strangulation.
The experience of 'Sarah' exemplifies the challenges faced by survivors in receiving justice. Despite providing substantial physical evidence, her case ended in evidential difficulties, leaving her feeling let down by the justice system. She lives with the consequences of the abuse every day, struggling with PTSD, anxiety, and other health issues.
"I want to say it's not your fault. Nobody has the right to control you, nobody has the right to abuse you, rape you, strangle you," Sarah said. "I would urge anyone to speak out and if you feel like you haven't been heard and your voice has not been listened to, speak out again."
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, support is available.
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- Strangulation cases, which are often dismissed due to evidential issues, have become a significant concern in the context of women's health and mental-health, as well as general-news.
- The mixed outcomes for victims of strangulation, such as 'Sarah', are a testament to the challenges faced in the health-and-wellness sector, particularly regarding crime-and-justice and mental-health.
- As perpetrators often use strangulation as a form of control, this act can lead to long-term consequences, including suicide ideation and anxiety, which fall under both mental-health and women's health categories.
- The data on non-fatal strangulation cases highlights the need for improvement in the science of gathering and analyzing evidence to better aid prosecutions and protect victims, contributing to health-and-wellness and crime-and-justice discussions.
