Part 1: Introduction & Methodology
Part 1: Introduction & Methodology
June 2025
Part 1 in this series provides an overview on the method in which we collected and analysed 294 online articles on strangulation in the UK media.
Between November 2022 and November 2024, the IFAS team obtained online news articles using search terms: strangulation UK, choking UK, strangulation legislation UK.
At the end of the two-year period, we had a sample of 294 online articles relating to strangulation.
Given the size of the dataset, we decided to complete an initial content analysis of the titles of the articles in the two main categories: fatal strangulation and non-fatal strangulation.
“The titles of online articles are important in the
‘click bait’ era of online news, and they can inform us about how the media present online articles about strangulation that would capture or grip the audience.”
Read our latest blogs on how strangulation is being depicted in the media
Survivors of strangulation are being let down when they turn on their TVs
“Why can’t popular depict strangulation accurately? The best we can seem to muster is that it’s a harmless sexual act, which is not only alarmingly inaccurate but also minimises the health risks.”
Why I Can’t Escape Non- Fatal Strangulation
” ‘I’m vanilla, baby (I don’t like no whips and chains, and you can’t tie me down) I’ll choke you, but I ain’t no killer, baby’.
Let me tell you I have heard these lyrics almost incessantly since this song was released, and every time it ruins my day.”
Blogs, resources & more
You can also browse through our online library of resources to access the latest research and data on strangulation.
Get in touch
Sign up to our newsletter to get weekly alerts as we release the parts of this series.
