April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. While conversations about sexual assault often center around consent and prevention, it is equally important to recognize a critical and potentially fatal indicator of abuse: strangulation.

Strangulation is a common and lethal form of domestic violence that can have devastating effects on victims. In domestic violence cases, particularly with intimate partner violence (IPV), non-fatal strangulation is one of the strongest predictors of future homicide.

You may hear of strangulation being called “choking” or “choked out,” but there’s a difference between choking and strangulation, said Aultman Serenity Program Nurse Adenike Gbadebo, DNP, APRN, SANE-A.

“Choking is an internal blocking of the airway, such as by a piece of food,” Gbadebo said. “Strangulation is when the airway or blood vessels are blocked by an external force, such as someone wrapping their hands tightly around your neck.”

Between 58% and 68% of IPV survivors report being strangled by an intimate partner, Gbadebo said.

According to the Metro Office of Family Safety in Nashville, common methods abusers use to strangle their victims include pinning them against the wall, sitting on their chest, putting them in a headlock or chokehold, holding them under water or covering their mouth or nose at the same time. Strangulation often leaves no marks on the victim.

A victim being strangled can lose consciousness within seconds, indicating a lack of oxygen to the brain. The victim can die within minutes.

For those who survive, strangulation is a medical emergency. Even if you think you have no symptoms, go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately.

“As many as 50% of survivors may not have external injury, but this DOES NOT mean there is not a serious internal injury,” Gbadebo said. “If you have been strangled, we recommend being evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible to ensure that there is no internal injury.”

A history of IPV-related strangulation increases the risk of homicide by 750%. Because strangulation is such a strong indicator of future homicide, victims of strangulation should seek help. Tell the emergency room staff or your healthcare provider what happened. They can connect you with appropriate resources to help you navigate this dangerous situation.

Resources

Many resources are available for anyone who needs help related to IPV. Several national, state and local resources are listed below. Additional resources can be found on the Aultman Health System website.

National
24/7 crisis line:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233) or live chat at
https://www.thehotline.org/#

State
Ohio Domestic Violence Network: 800-934-9840 or 614-781-9651

Local
Alliance Area Domestic Violence Shelter
Services: 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter
Crisis Line: 330-823-7223
Alliance Area Domestic Violence Shelter

Compass Rape Crisis, Canton and New Philadelphia
Services: 24-hour hotline, hospital/court advocacy, school education, community training, support groups, referrals, assistance with obtaining civil protection orders, counseling and community outreach
Crisis Line, Tuscarawas and Carroll counties: 330-339-1427
Crisis Line, Stark County: 330-452-1111
COMPASS: Sexual Assault Education, Prevention & Support

Domestic Violence Project Incorporated (DVPI), Canton
Services: 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, outreach and aftercare, legal advocacy, transitional housing program and medical advocacy
Crisis Line: 330-453-SAFE (7233)
Domestic Violence Project, Inc. (dvpi.org)

OneEighty, Wooster and Millersburg
Services: 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, victim advocacy, Counseling Service, danger assessment program, additional support services, rape crisis center, addiction/substance use, residential treatment, mental health counseling, community relations/prevention, peer support and housing support
Crisis Line, Wayne and Holmes counties: 800-686-1122
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault - OneEighty

Sources:
Aultman Health System
Metro Office of Family Safety, Nashville