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Latest resources
Access IFAS resources to understand the best practice in addressing strangulation.
Our response: Government to criminalise the depiction of strangulation in pornography
- ● Jun, 2025
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Our research shows that there is no safe way to strangle. Criminalising the depiction of strangulation in pornography sends a clear message about the serious harm strangulation can cause.
Press Release: 3 years of strangulation and suffocation as a standalone offence
- ● Jun, 2025
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On June 7 2025, we will mark 3 years since strangulation & suffocation became a standalone offence in England & Wales as part of the Domestic Abuse Act (2021). There is still much work to be done to better protect victims/ survivors of strangulation.
Police Data on Strangulation and Suffocation Offences
- ● Jun, 2025
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We requested data from the Home Office in 2023 and 2024 pertaining to the number of strangulation and suffocation offences recorded by the police. This report presents a comparative analysis of the data obtained in year 1 and year 2.
Strangulation in UK Media
- ● Jun, 2025
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Between November 2022 and November 2024, the IFAS team obtained online news articles using search terms: strangulation UK, choking UK, strangulation legislation UK. This series Strangulation in UK Media analyses the titles of these articles.
Latest publications
Check out our library for the latest insights on strangulation.
The Dangerous Rise of Sexual Strangulation
- ● Jun, 2025
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With studies showing non- consensual strangulation during sex is rife, Closer examines the worrying and very risky trend.
Analysis of case files of children reporting non-fatal strangulation as part of a sexual assault
- ● Jun, 2025
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Analysis of case files of CYP undergoing an acute (FME) during the seven-year period 2017–2023, following an allegation or suspicion of rape or sexual assault with a history of non-fatal strangulation.
The Femicide Census Report: 2000 Women
- ● Mar, 2025
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Of the 2,000 women aged 14 years and above who were killed in the UK since 2014, strangulation was used in 550 (27%) killings. 372 were strangled by an intimate partner.
Creating a safer world: the challenge of regulating online pornography
- ● Feb, 2025
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This report makes recommendations to the government on how to address the harmful impacts of pornography. The report also looks at the 'choking' and strangulation content in porn and makes recommendations for this content to be made illegal.
Latest Blog Posts
Survivors of strangulation are being let down when they turn on their TVs
- ● May, 2025
- ● Thaira Mhearba
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By applying pressure to the neck – a vulnerable area – and restricting someone’s breath, you are showing you have final say over whether they live or die. That’s why I want to see more scenes in popular culture of strangulation that take it seriously in domestic abuse contexts. Because the stats are truly sobering.
An estimated
20,000
strangulations a year are reported to women’s charities
Find out more about the prevalence of strangulation
Read moreIFAS Training
The Institute has the expertise to train professionals on best practice in supporting victims/survivors of strangulation through a forensic and medical lens.
Training events
Latest training events
Join the dots and learn about the risks and issues around strangulation at our training events
IFAS Clinical Webinar Series Autumn 2024
05 Nov 2024,
We are pleased to announce our next clinical webinar series on Non-Fatal Strangulation (NFS) which will take place in the autumn from 10 September to 05 November 2024.
Virtual meeting
Cost: Free
SafeLives Training
12 Feb 2025,
In partnership with IFAS, SafeLives have developed non-fatal strangulation (NFS) training for professionals who work with victims/survivors of strangulation. **Please note: there are multiple training dates across 2024 and into 2025. For more information see their website.
Virtual and in person meeting
Cost: See details
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Our message is clear and simple. There is no safe way to strangle.
Our message is clear and simple. There is no safe way to strangle.
Following the introduction of new legislation which recognises strangulation as a stand alone offence, we are driven to highlight and tackle the severity of strangulation and the deep impact on the victims/survivors.
Read more