Coordinated Community Response Column

You may have heard that one out of four women are physically assaulted by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Sometimes you can see these injuries – you know, bruises, black eyes, broken arms, the like. However there is one injury that often goes unnoticed: strangulation.

Many people confuse the terms “choking” and “strangulation.” Choking is what happens when there is something that is lodged in the windpipe blocking your airway, like food. Strangulation, on the other hand, is the closure of air passages in the throat by external pressure. This can be done with hands, forearms and knees or by the use of a cord-like object. As you can see, these are two very different things.

Yes, this is an unpleasant topic. But it is an alarmingly common occurrence – studies suggest that approximately two-thirds of female domestic violence victims have experienced at least one strangulation-related incident from their intimate partner in their lifetime. This sends the victim a frightening and powerful message, “your life is literally in my hands.”

Intense fear may cause victims to minimize or not report incidences of strangulation. Additionally, because there may be no outward evidence of strangulation, it is overlooked by police or first responders.

Strangulation causes the victim severe pain before unconsciousness. If pressure on the throat persists, brain death can occur in four to five minutes. As stated earlier, some injuries appear within two weeks, such as bruising or swelling in the throat. Other signs include dizziness or nausea, difficulty breathing or talking, incontinence, ruptured vessels in the eyes, face or neck, vision or hearing changes, and memory loss. Some victims of repeated strangulation have symptoms much like a stroke or dementia due to the loss of oxygen to the brain. It is important for a person who has been strangled to get medical attention.

Advocates at HELP of Door County know that strangulation is a dangerous predictor of lethality. They are able to assist victims of domestic violence connect with essential resources, including safe shelter. If you know someone who is being abused, do not be afraid to ask them if they have been strangled. Whatever the answer, encourage them to talk with someone at HELP of Door County – we can see the invisible wounds.

Support HELP of Door County by signing up for the Door’s Dirty 5K mud run on May 23. Volunteers are needed as well. Participants and volunteers get free food and free zip line. Learn more at doorcountysdirty5k.com.

This article is brought to you in part by the Door County Coordinated Community Response (CCR) to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Teams and the Door County Elder and Adult-at-Risk Interdisciplinary Team.