November 2021

 DV Strangulation Exams

 Intimate partner violence is an intentional pattern of violent, coercive and/or controlling tactics used to gain and maintain power over their intimate partner. The abusers know exactly what they are doing. Physical abuse is unwanted touch to the woman's body with the intent to cause bodily harm, place in danger, or to instill fear. Types of physical abuse include pushing down to the ground or into a wall, hitting repeatedly to head, back, or abdomen (more common when a woman is pregnant), kicking, burning with cigarettes or lighter, using weapons such as baseball bat, knife, or gun, and threats of physical harm. Physical abuse begins subtly and escalates over time.

The most powerful physical abuse form is manual strangulation. Strangulation is a POWER tactic to demonstrate what he/she can do to their victim if they do not obey them. Strangulation can cause serious harm and/or death. In cases where strangulation is suspected, extra measures should be taken to inquire about memory loss, incontinence, unexplained bumps on the head, and nausea. Physical signs of strangulation will be petechial bleeding to the face, throat, upper palate of mouth, inner ears, and sub-conjunctival hemorrhage within the sclera of eyes. Once the abuser reaches strangulation as a method of abuse, the woman's risk for death increases seven-fold.

Victims of strangulation are at a 750% higher chance of becoming a homicide victim at the hands of their abuser than those who do not experience strangulation.

SafeShelby now offers a Strangulation exam by a specially trained forensic nurse. The nurse is able to perform a comprehensive head to toe exam looking for injuries in the scalp, behind the ears, in the eyes, mouth, and throat areas, and neck/chest consistent with being strangled. The nurse photographs the injuries and can release to appropriate law enforcement personnel or court personnel if needed for trial. For more information on SafeShelby services, please visit our website at www.safehouse.org.