According to the National District Attorneys Association, 10% of violent deaths in the United States are attributable to strangulation. That is a huge number, and one that demands police officers properly investigate and document strangulation cases. Recognizing the signs of strangulation is the first step in prosecuting this type of battery.
Typically, the first indicator a police officer may have in a strangulation case is the victim’s statements. The victim may say “He choked me!” This is a good first indicator of a serious attack.
A quick note about terminology. “Choking” is what happens when something lodges in the throat, blocking the airway. For example, a piece of food. “Strangulation” is what happens when someone grabs another person’s neck/throat, and begins to cut of air and blood flow. Most victims will say “choke,” but you better say “strangle” when testifying.
External signs of a strangulation victim may be very minor, if they are visible at all. San Diego conducted a survey of 300 misdemeanor strangulation cases. In 50% of the cases, there was no visible injuries. Another 35% had visible injuries so minor, that they would not show up in photographs. That means that the victims in only 15% of all strangulation cases studied had injuries significant enough to (1) be seen, and (2) be photographed.
When present, visible injuries may include:
- redness to the neck
- scratch marks on the neck (from the victim trying to remove her attacker’s hands)
- thumb print bruising
- petechiae (red spots) in the eyes, or in the skin of the neck, head, and face
- neck swelling
Additionally, a police officer may hear the victim’s voice as raspy, or the victim may even lose her voice entirely. About 50% of all strangulation victims experience a voice change from the physical trauma.
Other signs that strangulation has occured:
- the victim “blacked out” or lost consciousness
- the victim lost control of their bowels or bladder
- breathing difficulty
- unusual behavior changes
I strongly recommend that you have EMS respond to the scene for any victim of strangulation. Minor bruising to some of the neck muscles that are not even visible, can swell and cut off the blood flow causing death up to 36 hours after the attack. Even if the victim refuses treatment, you can show you provided every opportunity for her to receive treatment.
I’ll follow up this post with additional information on the lethality of strangulation, and suggestions on how to document it to enhance your ability to prosecute these cases.
Stay safe!
Additional articles on domestic violence strangulation:
Related posts:
I read somewhere that strangulation in domestic violence cases is an indicator of severe abuse and that it should be “Red Flagged” for medical treatment.I cannot find the reference and need it for a resource for General Practitioners which I am preparing for Irish doctors and Practice Nurses.
Thanking you in advance,
mary troy
Mary,
I sent you an e-mail with some additional information. I hope it is of use. Please let me know if you do not receive it.
Don’t hesitate to let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.
Richard
I was strangled by a violent psychopath in my teens. One of the most striking features of the attack (to me – I’m not a clinician) , apart from my loss of voice and problems with breathing, was that a couple of hours after the attack a thin blood red line appeared at the bottom of the whites of my eyes. Over the next day or so the line gradually rose until the entire whites of my eyes were red. I did not receive any medical care as I was being held against my will at the time. Over the next few days the lines lowered again, always in a straight line. I am now, many years later, quite curious about this. I wonder why my eyes bled in this way? Reading your site I also realize how lucky I am to be alive. I don’t know if you answer queries from members of the public, I am also in the UK, but I would be very interested to hear why my eyes went red in this very uniform way. I am now 47 years old and it is painful to remember this stuff, but I also very much want to understand what happened to me. Thank you. Louise
Yesterday morning, I was strangled by my controlling boyfriend. When he let go he asked me for money then left. When he returned the police were waiting for him. Don’t know why i’m even typing this, but just wanted all girls, young ladies and women to know that you are so much better than your attacker. Call the police, press charges, get the restraining order and enj0y you new found freedom again. Enjoy your life. Right now, my neck is swollen, Tomorrow i need to return to work as if nothing happened. We need to be strong ladies. Even though you feel weak. Peace, Love & Tranquility to you all.
Janet,
Thank you for sharing your story. I hope that others can find strength from your experience.
Richard
For information regarding the medical aspects of strangulation, please feel free to contact me. I can also provide you with some articles from the medical literature regarding the health seriousness of strangulation.
DrT
http://www.healthaftertrauma.com
Janet, I to was strangled on the 15 of October by my I guess you can say jealous and very drunk boyfriend. I am very grateful to be alive and I am for you also. I work with him so this is going to make it difficult, I hope I have the strength like you to continue on and not fall back to the hold of him. Thank you for this site.
Kerri from Austin.
My friend was strangled last night and refused treatment at the hospital. Her voice is almost gone. How long does it usually take to come back?
Alyshia,
It all depends on the trauma that was inflicted and your friend’s natural healing ability.
I would suggest that you try to get her to a medical professional for treatment. The trauma from strangulation can cause death many hours after the attack due to the traumatized area swelling and cutting off circulation to the brain.
Good luck, and help your friend as much as she will let you.
–Richard
Hi,
My ex, mish *******, stangeled me in april 2008 and also hit me about 100 times and trew me 5 times on the floor…he damaged my back and he still pretends he is not a violent man…he also is a voyeur and a cleptoman…but he is very clever and he hides this side of him…so nobody believes me…this week end, for example, he has a stand and sells his vew-do boards and arbor snowboards on a anti violence event! he enjoys manipulating and lying to intelligent people so he feels better than them…how sick is that?
Karin
I was stangled twice by my familiar partner. No signs left… however since than I have troulbe to sleep and I cry every day… I feel I do not want to live anymore and I feel like in a constant state of depression. Unfortunatly I went to the police 9 months later….
When I relized that was not normal after 9 months to feel so lifeless and depressed.
I wander if anyone know of groups that help you out on the recovery… I have been under shock for several months… howful!!
i was not aware of that at the time.
I need help..
There are quite a few domestic violence support groups around the nation and world. I do not know where you are, but I would suggest contacting the local police or prosecurot’s office. They should have a victim advocate that can put you in touch with a recovery group.
Also, if you have a YWCA in the area, they should be able to provide a referral to you.
Good luck!
Can anyone tell me how long it takes for the red in a persons eyes to go away after being strangled? Is it a permanent condition?
I’m not a medical professional, so I would always suggest you seek one out for a definitive answer. My understanding, however, is that it is temporary. How long it takes your eyes to heal, and the redness to go away, depends on your body’s ability to heal and the amount of damage originally done.
Good luck,
Richard
Hi All,
I was strangled at a party when i was 23, i am now 26. I have now a permanently damaged voice that is a lot less powerful and sounds completley different. I am depressed from my voice, not the incident itself. I beg anyone if this happens god forbid, report the person immediately and have them charged, you have no idea the effect it has on you years later.
i have been to see 3 ENT’s all of which said i am fine, my family think i am crazy, but it hurts to talk, swallow, and breath.
i am from australia, i am willing to travel to have an operation if i can get this fixed, my email is aj2383@mac.com.
please let me know if you know any doctors in this area,
regards,
alex
My then, 6 year old son, was strangled by his “dad” (my ex-boyfriend, a violent and abusive psychopath) about 2 years ago during a court ordered visitation. The court knew this man was violent (2 prior protection orders in which he acknowledged he was a danger to his son) and still ordered him visitation with his child.
At the time of the attempted strangulation, there was already an investigation with CPS underway because my son stated that his dad beat him, held pillows over his face, and “choked” him while shaking him.
On the eve of the incident, I picked my son up from his visitation site (which was over an hour away from our home) and immediately noticed his eyes looked swollen and bruised; I noticed as well, that he had what appeared to be broken blood vessels on his neck, face, and in his eyes. He was also very lethargic and had a dazed look on his face. When questioned about the incident, he stated that his father had “choked” him while shaking him violently. He admitted that his throat hurt, he was having difficulty breathing, and that he had “seen all black” during the event. I immediately called the CPS investigator and was instructed to seek medical care.
The hospital staff took pictures (he also had a burn on his abdomen and numerous bruises covering his body), made a report, and then sent us on our way, instructing me to keep an appointment with CPS the following day.
I met with the CPS investigator the next day and was certain this case would be substantiated, however, it was not. I then sought the counsel of my attorney, whom drafted an emergency injunction to cease visitation. This order was subsequently denied by the court because two E.R. doctors couldn’t prove to the judge that the burn on my son was caused by a cigarette; they completely disregarded the attempted strangulation and accompanying evidence!
My son was forced to continue visitations and was repeatedly physically abused during visitations and eventually sexually molested by a girlfriend of the father. I also contacted CPS for this, but because previous investigations had been unsubstantiated, so was the sexual molestation, in their eyes.
I finally got so tired of the continued abuse and “abuser protection”, rather than child protection; that I fled with my son, in an attempt to protect him from further abuse. I have been on the run for almost 2 years and currently am in a lot of legal trouble because I went against a court order and denied visitation. I was also recently (indirectly) informed by a police officer (seeking my arrest), that an obviously insane or daft judge, revoked my sole legal and physical custody order, and has given full custody of my son to his “father”, solely because I ran with my son.
I can write with absolute certainty, that I am outraged beyond belief by this action and more certain that I will allow visitation with my child and this man only over my dead body.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do? I’ve traveled every route possible, and my child has yet to be heard, protected, and in receipt of due justice. Abuse is not taken seriously when it involves any form of domestic violence. The people that are supposed to protect our children are failing them with a nauseating frequency. My son told myself, hospital staff, CPS workers, teachers, police officers, and a therapist about being “choked” on numerous occasions, and nothing was done to prevent it from re-occurring. What has to happen before someone is going to take notice of this criminal act and punish the offenders who resort to the use of this “deadly weapon” on their own children and the domestic partners in their lives? I for one, will do anything in my power, in order to keep my son from becoming another victim statistic from death by strangulation.
This is my plea from one mother to another, from one human being to all my fellow human beings, help us, please! How do I stop this man from doing this to my son anymore, when the courts and child protective services openly allow the abuser to continue with the violence at the cost of a child?
I am open to any suggestions, thoughts, comments, resources, or simply emotional support.
Contact a DV shelter. They should have contacts of people who may be able to help you and your child, and they may be able to help you navigate this mess safely.
Hi,
I was manually strangled by my husband in Aug 2009.It was not longer time may be 20-30 seconds and mostly high pressure was on the side of right neck.After that I have consistant pain on my right side of neck upper right side back and right shoulder. I went to docter, but they got MRI and diognise that I have spondylosis , but after 30 years of age everybody got wear and tear of spinal disk,and I am around 50 years old, my pain is not from that,But pain is from that strangulation that cause soft tissue, muscules and ligaments are damaged that is causing pain ,that they are not diognisis I have consistant burning feelings behind my right ear too. I do not know where to get help for that. I have small C5-C6disk herniation too.before this incident I do not have any this kind of pain on my neck or shoulder.and spondylosis was may be before this trama too.How can I explain to doctor, I just want treatment and want to be recover. I do not want any other thing to do with this incident.
Hi,
I was manually strangled by my husband in Aug 2009.After that I have consistant pain on my right side of neck upper right side back and right shoulder. I went to docter, but they got MRI and diognise that I have spondylosis , but after 30 years of age everybody got wear and tear of spinal disk,and I am around 50 years old, my pain is not from that,But pain is from that strangulation that cause soft tissue, muscules and ligaments are damaged that is causing pain ,that they are not diognisis I have consistant burning feelings behind my right ear too. I do not know where to get help for that. I have small C5-C6disk herniation too.before this incident I do not have any this kind of pain on my neck or shoulder.and spondylosis was may be before this trama too.How can I explain to doctor, I just want treatment and want to be recover. I do not want to do anything else now just want to go away my pain.Many times in my sleep i feel that somebody is putting pressue on me and some times i woke up , some timesw i woke because in sleep i can not breath oroperly so i woke up than after few mins i will be fine.
I trusted a stranger and was in a park with them for at least 30 minutes and it was just geting dark when he turned on me and punched me in the head heaps, then when he had me down he strangled me till I passed out. It didn’t take long, I can just remember it getting hard to breath and trying to scream but I couldn’t, and trying to scratch him to hurt him and I can just remember my fear when I realised what was hapening, but I cant remember being scared for long, or anything else, until I woke up. I really want to know how long I was out for, and wether he strangle me unconcious more than once or not. I had that P thing in my eye and other signs and the police reckon the time frame from when I can last remember until I woke up was nearly one hour. I dont know what he did, but I know he is going to jail for a long time and I dont think this solves what happened to me, but it helps. Its asthough Ive turned nasty wanting him to suffer, but I do want him to suffer, and im not nasty.
I was strangled by my boyfriend today in front of my son.I felt fear for the first time in my life i wanted to scream for help but i couldnt i couldnt breath thats when he try to put the blanket in my face i felt even more fear as he wanted to cut my air and my vision.Besides the headache i feel really hurt and depressed inside really humiliated..
I strongly encourage you to seek medical treatment. Swelling in the neck can develop over the 12-24 hours after the attack to cut off air and blood flow in certain situations causing death.
I also strongly encourage you to report this to the local law enforcement agency. Depending on the laws of your state, the attack can be considered attempted murder or aggravated battery. Anyone who would do this to a loved one is more likely than others to actually kill you.
Even if you don’t call the police, please seek medical assistance.
Good luck,
Richard
i was strangled by my husband and couldnt fight back cause i was holding the baby.. as i read the different symptoms of what happens after i can only say that he is very lucky…. i didnt press charges or call the authorities,…. i have 2 lil kids who adore him but deep in my heart i can never be close to him again!
i just want to thank everyone who wrote here. I have been strangled by ex boyfriend three times, and all three times i went unconscious, as well as being smacked in the eye (which has caused flashes in my eye). He has also kicked me and punched me, and doesnt apologize for any of it.
last year in may we got into a huge fight, and he ended up strangling me until i was unconscious, and when i woke up he was standing over my body making sure i was still alive so that he could kick me, punch me, spit on me, and scream at me that he should kill me. when it was over he told me how pathetic i was, and i left, went to the hospital and called the police. i had a big knot on my face, and alot of the blood vessels in my eye broke, my face didnt fully heal for 18 days.
i pressed charges, and now we have a 5 year order of protection. I still question whether i was right because he constantly blames me for everything.
Reading all of your comments really do make me feel better. i am sad we have all had to deal with this but its good to know im not alone.
i have alot of intimacy problems now, and have flashbacks of being strangled. i dont know what to do. its been over a year and i still cant get over it
Last weekend I was strangled by my girlfriend during an argument. She choked me with my tie until I passed out. It was so fast that I don’t remember much. When I woke up she was crying and shaking me to wake me up. She apologized and kept saying she was sorry and that she thought she had killed me. This is not the first time this has happend.. well it is the first time she strangled me, but not the first time she has tried to hurt me. She gets this crazed look in her eye sometimes and seems to become another person and doesn’t have control of her actions.
I think I should get out of this situation, as I have trouble fighting back because I wouldn’t want to hurt her and she is probably about at least as strong as me anyway. She is really a sweet person when she is not enraged. After she realized what she had done she was genuinely remorseful, but still I was lucky to wake up. She said I was unconscious for over 5 minutes and she thought I was dead.
Also its kind of embarrassing to be on the opposite side of this kind of abuse. I find it difficult to talk about it, even to my therapist, like I’m a weakling for getting strangled by my girlfriend.
Gavin, that story hits home.
My ex would have screaming outbursts and swing when emotionally cornered. By that I mean, when caught in a lie or have an answer for a wrong committed. In defending myself and trying to calm her down, marks were left as she is fair skinned. The whole incident was traumatic and regrettable by the both of us, but in the end, the DA charged me with a major violation.
I now regret not reporting my non-visible injuries when responding officers asked, as days later I was charged due to her bruises caused during me trying to defuse the argument. Strangulation is a serious aspect of that, and since being charged have done a lot of reading on it, horrified at the unintended damage it can cause.
My big regret is not walking away, needing closure, the truth and keeping my love.
Getting out is probably best. Please note that reporting strangulation can result in heavy charges being pressed, no matter how much you want to ‘let it go’.
Be safe for the sake of you both.
my son was strangled about 3 weeks ago by a family member…i sure hope that the guy get locked up and never gets out..so he can never hurt anyone else.he’s 21 years old and didn’t deserve this.it was turned into the law and after about a week they arrested him and he got out on bond…why they give him that option to be out.my son did not seek medical treatment.he had mager brusing at the base of his neck…i would like him to seek medical treatment to insure that all is ok.but he has to be the one to do it…what does 3rd degreee strangulation carry as far as time in the pen?anyone no? thanks,norma
Norma, It all depends on what state you reside in. I suggest you Google the information. In Florida a person who commits domestic battery by strangulation commits a felony of the third degree which is punishable by up to five years imprisonment.
I have been involved for 3 1/2 years with a person who has been diagnosed with rapid cycling bipolar, PTSD, and OCD. He was also formerly addicted to painkillers prescribed for neuropathy in his legs. The PTSD came from an incident with a former girlfriend he perceived as being controlling. It’s a long story, but it resulted in his being hauled at gunpoint from his home and put in a mental institution for observation for three days. The 5 year anniversary for this is coming up Oct. 30 (his birthday)through November 3.
I don’t want to drop the whole saga here, but he has strangled me three times. The first time was when he was switching medication and got some devastating news. He stopped of his own volition, springing back in horror. Therapist and pdoc said that it was related to the medication. Two years later this September, we were in a fight, it escalated, he became paranoid and psychotic, and attempted to strangle and hit me again. This was minor, there was pain or bruising or difficulty breathing. He was again remorseful and we went right to psychiatrist to get medication for psychosis. That was about a month ago. Last night we had a fight, it escalated. Recently I had been prescribed Vicodin for back pain and he told me he was uneasy with it being in the house when I first started three weeks ago, but had seemed to adjust just fine.
Last night he was crying and said “It’s taking every ounce of strength to not leap up and throw you on the floor to get that vicodin and get high. I just want to stop being me for a little while.” I told him that I admired his strength and would remove the temptation. He came in after I had flushed the vicodin and began strangling me, demanding that I give it to him. This time it hurt, I felt blood thudding in my ears and could talk but just barely. I did not lose consciousness. After about a minute I talked him down and we called his therapist, who calmed him down enough for him to get to sleep.
He was extremely remorseful. I know that when he is “himself” I am safe, but I also know that the episodes come on very quickly, and now I know that when they do, I am at risk.
I support him completely financially, but we have been discussing his moving out, and I believe he has to now. He is looking into applying for medical disability and both this therapist and pdoc think that is appropriate.
12 hours later, my neck feels swollen, there are some faint bruises starting to emerge, and redness. There is a place of pain on my right larynx and I can swallow fine, but it hurts. It feels a bit better than last night. My whole throat area aches. I cannot get medical attention because they are obligated to report it as domestic violence. Anything I can do to help it myself? He is only 28, a type 1 diabetic with neuropathy in his legs, I don’t want to ruin his life. But I do want to take care of myself.
Anonymous,
Your situation is far too complex for a simple answer. However, I believe you are in serious danger and should seek police assistance immediately. The person who is violent toward you will not stop, and the violence will become worse with time. Many of the things you mentioned are indicators of lethality, suggesting that your odds of being killed by this man are significantly greater for you than for most other people.
Time for therapy is long past. It is my belief that you now need to find a safe way out of this violent relationship before you are killed. Contact your local police department or women’s shelter for immediate assistance and support.
He is responsible for his actions: not you and not society. He is the one who has ruined his life: not you and not society. Get out now while you still can.
-Richard
Anonymous,
I completely agree with Richard. Having nearly 15 years in law enforcement I can tell you that the vast majority of cases involving an abuser of this level will only result in an ever-increasing level of violence against you – until DEATH! You cannot solve his problems – medical, psychological, and his own drug abuse. Staying in that relationship can only end in tragedy for you.
I understand your concern for him and his health issues, but his actions have clearly identified his inability to control himself. You remain in peril as long as you are near him!
Get help! Contact your local shelter, or abuse hotline and they will provide you a wealth of information on how to get help. If you are unwilling to go to the police, you should at least seek a protection order.
Good luck.
It happened again two days ago. I feel like I have no recourse. I cant fight because then it would be my fault, but she is very strong. My girlfriend strangled me again, this time with her hands. I passed out again. I am very afraid I wont wake up next time, but Im also very afraid to tell someone. Who would believe me?
Gavin –
You need to seek professional assistance. I suggest calling the police. If you do not want to talk to a police officer, there should still be a victim advocate with the local law enforcement agency or prosecutors office that you can talk to. Additionally, there is likely to be a local support group or agency that can assist.
You have to seek out the assistance and ask for help. Good luck.
-Richard
Gavin,
You have every reason to be afraid. Your own intellect is telling you that bad things are going to happen. If you ignore the warnings you may not live to realize your error. You must find a way to separate yourself from this abuser. That means finding separate living arrangements, and quite possibly completely separating contact with her.
Contact your local abuse hotlines to seek help and get assistance. You should also seek a protection order. In many states, the protection order will allow you to stay in the residence while the abuser has to leave. This is a temporary solution until there is a hearing on the matter in the court, but it might give you time to prepare for your living arrangements.
Good luck – Get out so you can live!
My husband ad i very rarely drink. We have a very volitile relationship although it hardly ever becomes physical. The other night we drank with some friends excessivly. I have very little rememberance of the night and he doesnt either. I woke up with a very sore neck and shoulder as well as red spots in my eyes and a few bruises. It hurts to swallow and seems as though something is out of place in my neck. In trying to remember i have become scared because i think my husband tried to strangle me. I think i may remember it. This would be a new level of violence i have seen from him and it scares me. I dont even know how to bring this up to him without either upsetting him or havung him go on the defense.
naha – You have to be honest with your medical provider to obtain the best possible treatment for your injury. I am not qualified to offer any medical advice in this matter.
I hope you have left the person who has been strangling you. If you need assistance in finding resources for assistance in getting away, let me know.