Reports of strangulation offenses in the UK have increased by 13% over the past year, according to a new impact report released by the Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS). The report, which analyzes data from police forces, indicates that more than 44,000 reports were made to the police in the last year. Since the offense was introduced, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has prosecuted 24,446 offenses.
The IFAS was established in October 2022 with funding from the Home Office to improve the understanding and response to strangulation incidents. Dr. Helen Bichard, a principal clinical psychologist involved in the institute's creation, noted that while the legislation introduced four years ago was a significant step, the necessary support systems to ensure its effectiveness were not initially in place. "It was almost as if the legalisation had proceeded all the systems that needed to be in place to make sure it's effective, so that's why IFAS was created," she stated.
One of IFAS's key initiatives has been the development of guidelines for medical professionals, addressing a prior lack of specific protocols for strangulation cases in the UK. Dr. Bichard emphasized the life-saving potential of these guidelines, stressing the critical need for healthcare providers to be aware of the severe consequences of strangulation. "They are a first of its kind, they will save lives – there is no greater impact than that," she said. "It can be catastrophic, it can cause death that's why strangulation is used in violence because it is really effective."
Strangulation survivors advocate for stricter sentencing as part of the broader efforts to combat this form of violence. The increase in reported crimes, while concerning, is viewed by some as a positive sign that more victims are coming forward and reporting incidents.