Physical abuse and non-fatal strangulation

Definition

Physical abuse is defined as any intentional act causing injury or trauma to another person through bodily contact. It is a deliberate act of force that results in harm, injury, or trauma to the victim’s body.

This can include a range of behaviours from hitting, slapping, and punching to more severe forms of violence. Physical abuse can have serious consequences for the well-being of the survivor, potentially leading to psychological conditions and complications.

It is often used as a means for one person to gain control over another. Recognizing the signs of physical abuse is crucial for early intervention and support for those affected.

Strangulation can be defined as obstruction of blood vessels and/or airways by external pressure to the neck resulting in decreased oxygen supply to the brain. Non-fatal strangulation is where such strangulation has not directly caused the death of the victim.

Legally, A person commits an offence if they intentionally strangle another person or does any other act that affects their ability to breathe. If there is consent for strangulation it is still an offence if this party suffers serious harm as a result of the strangulation or other act or the strangler was reckless as to whether the act would cause serious harm.

A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months among other punishments.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 introduced the offences of non-fatal strangulation and non-fatal suffocation. The common methods of non-fatal strangulation are:

manual – one or two hands held around the neck of a person
chokehold or head lock – external pressure applied by an arm around the neck
ligature – for example a scarf or belt tightened around the neck
hanging
pressure on the neck from a foot or knee

Methods of non-fatal suffocation could include:

Putting a hand over the mouth and nose
Compressing the chest
Any other force or suppression applied to a person to cause a restriction of breath.

The above lists are not exhaustive.

Examples

Assault, hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, hair-pulling, biting, pushing
Rough handling
Scalding and burning
Physical punishments
Inappropriate or unlawful use of restraint
Making someone purposefully uncomfortable (e.g. opening a window and removing blankets)
Involuntary isolation or confinement
Misuse of medication (e.g. over-sedation)
Forcible feeding or withholding food
Unauthorised restraint, restricting movement (e.g. tying someone to a chair)

Statistics

Each year more than 75,000 people in the UK are at high and imminent risk of being murdered or seriously injured as a result of domestic abuse.

Eight women a month are killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales.

On average victims at high risk of serious harm or murder live with domestic abuse for 2.5 years before getting help.

Over 70% of high-risk victims report experiencing physical abuse.

Safety Advice

Immediate harm:

Contact 999 if a person who is being abused feels that they are at risk of serious harm or homicide.
If the person who is being abused needs to be removed from their home for safety please contact their local housing department to make a homeless referral or contact Our refuges – Refuge or via their national helpline: 08002000247.
If a person is considered not to have the mental capacity or ability to make safe choices, make a referral to adult safeguarding services in your area.
If children are involved and at risk, make a safeguarding referral to your local team.

Ongoing:

Encourage the person experiencing abuse to document any injuries, preferably in photographic form with something that proves dates and times and keep these somewhere safe.
Encourage them to talk to someone they trust about the abuse.
Refer them to the appropriate domestic abuse specialist service.

I want to leave my relationship safely – Women’s Aid (womensaid.org.uk)