The Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS) welcomes the Government’s landmark Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy

Funded by the Home Office, IFAS has been working to address strangulation as a specific and highly dangerous form of VAWG. In partnership with SafeLives, we have trained over 20,000 frontline professionals to recognise and respond to strangulation, improving outcomes for victims and raising awareness of its seriousness. Yet we know there is much more to do to protect this and future generations from the devastating physical and psychological impacts of this violence.

Continued research is vital to establish the true extent of strangulation in the UK, across all contexts, and to ensure that training and resources remain evidence‑based. This will help us better understand what works in tackling and disrupting harmful behaviours.

To support the Government’s mission, IFAS will:

• Address strangulation directly: Raise awareness of the unique risks and devastating impact of strangulation, ensuring it is recognised as a dangerous form of abuse.
• Support prevention and education: Work with schools, families, and communities to embed understanding of strangulation within healthy relationships education, empowering young people to understand the risks associated.
• Train frontline professionals: Provide specialist training for teachers, police, healthcare providers, and social workers to spot, respond to, and prevent strangulation‑related abuse.
• Contribute research and evidence: Share data and expertise to strengthen the Government’s mission, ensuring all forms of VAWG, including strangulation, are fully addressed in policy and practice.
• Champion survivor voices: Continue our work with survivors at the heart of our approach, ensuring their experiences inform national responses, dismantle harmful myths, and drive cultural change.

By tackling strangulation as part of the wider mission to end violence against women and girls, IFAS will help protect future generations. Together with government, educators, and communities, we will ensure that no young person grows up believing violence is acceptable, and every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential in safety and respect.

IFAS is committed to working with government and partners to end strangulation and protect future generations.