New offence of non-fatal strangulation welcomed

Centre for Women’s Justice welcomes the Lord Chancellor’s announcement of a new stand alone offence of non fatal strangulation, originally formulated by CWJ as a proposed amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill. This horrific type of assault is particularly common in domestic abuse; 37% of high-risk survivors who experience physical abuse report it. 

The Lord Chancellor has recognised that this terrifying offence is far more serious than it has generally been treated by police and prosecutors, often perpetrators are only charged with common assault if charged at all.  The Lord Chancellor is proposing that the offence could carry a maximum tariff of seven years.

CWJ has been at the forefront of the campaign to have this offence included in the Domestic Abuse Bill. Baroness Newlove put down an amendment last Tuesday when the Bill came to the House of Lords, and was widely supported by Peers from every political party, Bishops and cross-benchers. They put out a powerful message that the Government were not listening and need to change the law. We are delighted that the Lord Chancellor has listened. 

Many survivors describe how they truly believed they were going to die whilst they were being strangled. Some report such offending as taking place in full view of their children. Not being able to breathe is terrifying, which is why water-boarding is used as a form of torture. CWJ’s case studies show how strangulation is used as a form of control by signalling a warning to women who do not comply.

Strangulation and suffocation prevent oxygen from reaching the brain. First there is a loss of vision, then unconsciousness within around 10 seconds, and loss of control of bladder and bowels. Lack of oxygen can lead to long-term brain damage and even stroke. This is very serious violence, but often there is little visible injury afterwards.

Nogah Ofer, solicitor at CWJ, said:

It is time that as a society we stopped normalising and ignoring strangulation. We look forward to the police, prosecutors and medical professionals working together to address this with the seriousness it deserves, and hope that survivors of domestic abuse will have greater confidence to seek justice.”