What are the differences between strangulation, non-fatal and fatal strangulation and suffocation?
What is strangulation?
Strangulation can be defined as obstruction or compression of blood vessels and/or airways by external pressure to the neck impeding normal breathing or circulation of the blood.
What is non-fatal strangulation (NFS)?
Non- fatal strangulation is where such strangulation has not directly caused the death of the victims. Fatal strangulation is where death ensues.
What is suffocation?
Suffocation is different to strangulation. Suffocation is to deprive a person of air which affects their normal breathing. Suffocation is sometimes referred to as asphyxiation or smothering.
UK prevalence of strangulation and suffocation
1 in 4
women accessing community and refuge services reported having experienced strangulation or suffocation
2020
In the decade to March 2020, strangulation or asphyxiation was consistently the second most frequent cause of homicide for women killed by men
20,000
estimated victims in the UK experience strangulation each year
27%
of female homicide victims in England & Wales were killed by strangulation.
(Femicide Census, March 2025)
20%
of suicides following domestic abuse had been subjected to non-fatal strangulation prior to their death
(VKPP 2023 report)
25%
of domestic homicides reviewed by the Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) process were caused by strangulation
(October 2019- October 2020)
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