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About us
About us
The Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS) was established in October 2022, following the introduction of new legislation on strangulation and suffocation as a stand-alone offence.
Prior to this strangulation and suffocation did not have the focus required given the dangers of the offence and tended either to be not charged at all or charged as a generic offence such as common assault, or sometimes actual bodily harm.
By recognising strangulation as a stand alone offence highlights the severity of strangulation and the deep impact on the victim/ survivor.
The message is clear. There is no safe way to strangle.
The Institute aims to raise awareness of strangulation and the associated risks, conduct research, develop resources, and to train professionals in responding to and supporting victims/survivors of these assaults. IFAS works in partnership with SafeLives and Bangor University.
The Institute will lead on guiding professionals through the best practice in supporting victims/ survivors of strangulation through a medical and forensic lens.
Funded by the Home Office, The Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS) sits within the Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine (FFLM).
The FFLM is a registered charity set up to develop and maintain the highest possible standards of competence and professional integrity in forensic and legal medicine.
Our work
Overall, we work collaboratively with agencies and professionals likely to come into contact with victims/survivors of strangulation and suffocation so that together we can address gaps in knowledge and inform best practice.
Access to our training, free resources and online library
to help increase the awareness, knowledge and understanding of professional working with victims of strangulation.
We have created free resources and a library of literature so that professionals can increase their understanding of strangulation.
A collaborative approach
A collaborative approach
to working with professionals across agencies to encourage the collection of data on strangulation and suffocation to monitor its occurrence and the effectiveness of interventions.
We aim to improve policy and practice amongst the legal, medical, criminal justice and advocacy communities.
Close partnerships
with survivors, charities, police, NHS and CPS with the aim of increasing offender accountability and enhancing victim safety.
Get in touch
For general and media enquiries and further information about our training
contact@ifas.org.uk
