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Latest resources
Access IFAS resources to understand the best practice in addressing strangulation.
Report on Strangulation During Sex in the UK
- ● Dec, 2024
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A report on the findings of a short survey conduced in October 2024 which aimed to understand the prevalence of strangulation/choking during sex in the UK.
FiLiA Podcast: Tackling Strangulation: Working Together to Save Lives
- ● Dec, 2024
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Sally Jackson, FiLiA Trustee; Bernie Ryan, CEO of IFAS and Marianne McGowan, Survivor Liaison and Research Worker, discuss the dangers of strangulation, who it affects, and what we can do to raise awareness of the realities of the danger it presents.
Report 4: A Comparative Analysis of 150 Domestic Homicide Reviews
- ● Oct, 2024
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The fourth report in the Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) series is an analysis of 75 domestic homicide reviews (DHRs) where the method of killing was strangulation and 75 DHRs where the method of killing was stabbing with a sharp instrument.
Strangulation and ‘Choking’ Factsheet
- ● Oct, 2024
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When strangulation (external pressure to the neck) is used in the context of consensual sex, is it more commonly referred to as ‘choking’ or perhaps another term like ‘breath play'. This fact sheet lays out the risks of this dangerous practice.
Latest publications
Check out our library for the latest insights on strangulation.
Sentencing Council: Strangulation and Suffocation
- ● Dec, 2024
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New guidelines have been published effective January 2025,to help the courts sentence new offences and provide transparency for victims, offenders and the public. The guideline was developed following public consultation which IFAS was involved in.
'My ex had such a small sentence for strangling me'
- ● Dec, 2024
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"It shouldn't be disregarded as a small crime, I thought I'd die when it happened to me." The words of Sophie Henson, 24, who said she felt reassured to see "strangulation taken seriously" now by the justice system.
A Gendered Lens on Acquired Brain Injury
- ● Dec, 2024
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This paper by Australian Women's Health Alliance describes the links between gender, gender-based violence and acquired brain injury (ABI) prevalence. Rising rates of sexual violence and sexual strangulation are placing women at higher risk of ABI.
Murderers who use strangulation or kill ex-partners face longer jail terms
- ● Dec, 2024
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Murderers in England and Wales who kill their ex-partners or use strangulation will face longer prison sentences, ministers have said. Under new laws judges will have to consider tougher jail terms for murderers who strangle their victims.
Latest Blog Posts
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