Non-Fatal Strangulation: Safeguarding Risk and the Law

strangulation is a murder warning
Strangulation is a murder warning

 

Non-Fatal Strangulation: Safeguarding Risk and the Law

What the evidence and law mean for safeguarding

By Aneeta Prem MBE, Founder and President of Freedom Charity

Non-fatal strangulation is a serious offence and an important safeguarding risk indicator. It may leave little or no visible injury, which is one reason careful safeguarding, appropriate medical assessment and evidence gathering matter.

In 2025, Sky News reported, drawing on analysis from the Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS), that around 70% of the cases in the period examined were dropped because of evidential difficulties. This article considers what that reporting means for safeguarding and the effective use of the law.

What Makes Strangulation So Serious?

Non-fatal strangulation is far more dangerous than it appears. It may leave no visible injuries, yet cause long-term harm, including stroke, brain damage, PTSD, and death days or weeks later. Victims who have been strangled are seven times more likely to be murdered by their partner (Glass et al., 2008).

These acts often occur in silence, behind closed doors, and disproportionately affect women and girls. Despite this, many survivors are still met with disbelief.

One young woman supported by Freedom Charity said:
“He strangled me until I blacked out. No bruises. The police gave him a caution. That was the end of it.”

This is not rare. This is routine. And it must change.

How the Law Responded — And Why It’s Not Enough

In 2021, Section 75A of the Domestic Abuse Act made non-fatal strangulation a standalone offence. This meant:

This law was a critical step, but a law is only as strong as its implementation. And the latest data shows we are falling short.

Read the Government factsheet on Section 75A

New 2025 Data: What’s Going Wrong?

According to Sky News, around 70% of non-fatal strangulation cases were dropped in the last year due to evidential issues.

While police are recording more cases under Section 75A, prosecutors are still reluctant to pursue them unless visible injuries are present. This contradicts both the intent of the law and the medical evidence.

“He put his hands around my throat. I thought he was going to kill me.”
– Survivor quoted by Sky News, 2025. Her case was dropped.

This shows what many frontline professionals already know: we are criminalising the act, but not supporting survivors.

Strangulation Is a Murder Warning — But We’re Ignoring It

At Freedom Charity, we repeat this truth without hesitation: strangulation is a murder warning. And unless the system treats it that way, lives will be lost.

For safeguarding professionals, the priority is to recognise non-fatal strangulation as a serious risk indicator and follow current clinical, police and safeguarding guidance. This includes:

  1. Taking reports seriously and recording them carefully, including where there is no visible injury

  2. Ensuring access to appropriate medical assessment in line with current clinical guidance

  3. Including strangulation in safeguarding risk assessment and referral procedures

  4. Applying the law and evidential guidance properly, rather than relying on visible injury alone

  5. Connecting survivors with specialist domestic-abuse support and appropriate follow-up

Freedom Charity is a safeguarding charity and does not provide clinical advice. Medical assessment and treatment decisions belong with appropriately qualified health professionals.

Why This Offence Must Never Be Treated as “Low-Level”

Non-fatal strangulation is a serious offence whether it occurs in public or within domestic abuse. Cases should not be minimised because they happen in an intimate or family context, and the absence of visible injury should not be treated as proof that no harm occurred.

Freedom Charity has long campaigned for survivors’ voices to be heard. Whether it’s strangulation, forced marriage, or dishonour-based abuse — our message is simple: the law must be used, or it becomes meaningless.

Explore our work on dishonour-based abuse and survivor safeguarding

Conclusion: the law must be used effectively

The introduction of Section 75A was a historic moment — but it was just the beginning. If police, CPS, and health services are not properly resourced and trained, then survivors will continue to be let down.

If you work in safeguarding, health, education, or justice — please take this seriously. Strangulation is not symbolic. It is fatal.

Strangulation is a murder warning. Let’s start treating it like one.

About the Author
Aneeta Prem MBE is Founder and President of Freedom Charity, author of But It’s Not Fair and Cut Flowers, and a safeguarding campaigner. She gave evidence to Parliament during legislation that made forced marriage a specific criminal offence in England and Wales and works on forced marriage, FGM, Dishonour Abuse and safeguarding education.

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