Strangulation is
defined as “the obstruction of blood vessels and/or airflow in the neck
resulting in asphyxia”. In intimate
partner violence (IPV) incidences, strangulation is occurring at an alarming
rate and can inevitably lead to the death of the victim. Even years after the incident has occurred,
lethal effects from strangulation are still possible due to damage to the
arteries in the neck leading to embolization.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 4
women will be victims of IPV in her lifetime and of those, 68% will experience
non-fatal strangulation. Studies have
shown that women who experience strangulation incidences in a relationship have
a 7-fold increase of likelihood that she will die at the hands of the
abuser. Tragically, South Carolina is in the top twenty-five states for domestic
violence fatalities. The research examines prevalence rates for strangulation
in South Carolina and the correlation of IPV related fatalities. Furthermore,
this research examines non-fatal strangulation by an
intimate partner as a risk factor for major assault or attempted or completed
homicide of women in South Carolina and the void in South Carolina law
stemming the tide of these deaths. Data
was obtained from a subset of women who are serving time in South Carolina
prisons who have sought counseling services from SisterCare, a non-profit that
provides advocacy and counseling services to domestic violence survivors, as
well as a study conducted by the 9th Circuit Solicitor’s office in
Charleston which examined the prevalence of reported IPV cases with incidences
of strangulation.
