Latest news with #nonfatalstrangulation
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
1,755 arrests made in first two years of non-fatal strangulation offence becoming law
More than 1,750 arrests have been made for non-fatal strangulation in Northern Ireland since it became a specific criminal offence. One survivor of the crime, Sarah, has urged anyone who has suffered it to report it to police and not to risk their life. Non-fatal strangulation or asphyxiation was made a specific criminal offence in Northern Ireland two years ago this month, and those found guilty can face up to 14 years in prison. Non-fatal strangulation includes: any part of your body or another object, such as a ligature like a scarf or belt, chokeholds or headlocks, hanging, drowning or smothering. From June 26 2023 to May 31 2025, police received 1,893 reports of non-fatal strangulation, and officers made 1,755 arrests resulting in 765 charges. Detective Superintendent Lindsay Fisher said police figures indicate that between 10-12% of reporting domestic abuse victims have experienced non-fatal strangulation, placing them at the highest risk. 'In fact, studies have shown that in domestic abuse settings, victims are eight times more likely to be murdered by their partner if they have previously strangled them,' she said. 'We have made a significant amount of arrests and hit the ground running with this new legislation in just the first two years. 2,092 officers and staff have received specific training. 'We hope that this gives victims the confidence to come forward and continue reporting knowing that our officers are recognising and responding to the seriousness of this violent act.' Speaking about her experience, Sarah, who has been a victim of non-fatal strangulation twice at the hands of her abusive ex-partner, said it was the most terrifying thing she had ever experienced. She reported it to police and as a result, the perpetrator pleaded guilty to both incidents. 'I remember the first time it happened, I couldn't quite believe that this violent man had my life in his hands. Although the strangling only lasted a matter of seconds, it felt longer to me,' she said. 'You almost exit your body and feel everything slipping away as you struggle to breathe and lose control of your bladder. It is the most terrifying thing I've ever experienced. 'Feeling another person's hand on your throat and looking into their eyes as they squeeze is surreal. 'I am pleased that the police have hit the ground running with this legislation over the last couple of years and helped women like me get justice. 'To be listened to, believed and supported is all someone needs who has been through what I have. 'In any abusive relationship, the victim always feels guilt about the burden the trauma places on others around them. I am no different. Phoning the police that night as I sat broken on the top of my stairs was the best thing I ever did for me and my children. I have created distance between me and my abuser and we are finally safe. 'My message to others out there is – don't risk your life by staying.' Ms Fisher said the health consequences are often delayed. 'It is common for strangulation to leave no visible signs of injury and consequences can be delayed by days or weeks,' she said. 'These include stroke, cardiac arrest, miscarriage, incontinence, seizures, memory loss and long-term brain injury. 'Consciousness can be lost after as little as four seconds. Blocking the jugular vein can take less pressure than opening a can of coke. 'Loss of consciousness indicates at the very least, a mild brain injury and many victims lose control of their bladder and bowels. 'Often, strangulation is glorified as a gratifying act for both parties in pornography and young people in particular are susceptible to thinking this could be a fun, 'consensual' act to spice things up. 'However, the reality is far from the case. Consent to rough sex is not a defence.'
Irish Times
30-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Non-fatal strangulation prosecuted 67 times since standalone offence introduced in 2023
There have been 67 prosecutions for non-fatal strangulation since it was introduced as a standalone offence in late 2023, gardaí have said. Fifty-eight of these prosecutions relate to domestic abuse and supports, while research and law enforcement's experience shows non-fatal strangulation is a 'leading indicator of escalating violence in a relationship' and a 'significant risk factor for homicide in women', the force said. Speaking on 'Go Purple Day', a Garda initiative aimed at raising awareness about domestic abuse, Det Chief Supt Colm Noonan said the 21,000 domestic abuse-related contacts to gardaí so far this year marks a 'slight increase' on the same period last year. He said the rise is a 'positive reflection of the trust and the confidence people have in us'. READ MORE 'An Garda Síochána has zero tolerance for victim blaming. Nobody has the right to abuse you. We want to reassure women, men and children that you are not alone and that help is available,' he said. Leanne Ryan, senior manager at Saoirse, a domestic violence support provider in the greater Dublin region, said collaboration with gardaí has 'really increased' over the last five years. 'I think they're taking domestic violence more seriously,' she said. Garda members are more informed about domestic violence laws, particularly the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 2023, which targets stalking, non-fatal strangulation and non-fatal suffocations as stand-alone offences, she said. Since this Act became law, there have been 12 prosecutions for stalking, six of which were linked to domestic abuse, An Garda Síochána said. The offences always existed, Chief Supt Noonan said, but the new law calls them out as 'specific crimes in a language that people can understand'. Coercive control became a criminal offence in 2018, and has since resulted in 52 prosecutions. [ 'When you live with domestic violence, you can never relax – even at nighttime' Opens in new window ] The crime involves a persistent pattern of controlling, coercive and threatening behaviour, including forms of domestic abuse. An Garda Síochána has encouraged its members to wear purple to mark its 'Go Purple Day' initiative.
