Children are often present during non-fatal strangulation, CPS analysis shows

Children were present in more than a third of non-fatal strangulation offences, according to analysis of a sample of cases by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Prosecutors were given additional powers to charge violent abusers with non-fatal strangulation and non-fatal suffocation in June when new legislation came into force.

The CPS has taken a sample of non-fatal strangulation cases to see how the law is being used almost six months on.

It revealed that in 38% of cases a child was present, with some being in the same room or subject to abuse while the offending was taking place.

In 69% of cases the victim was the suspect’s partner and 13% of victims were the suspect’s ex-partner.*

Victim accounts regularly described feeling as if they were going to die, fall unconscious or see ‘stars’. One victim was lifted by the throat for 20 seconds, another was grabbed by the throat and told by the defendant ‘I’m going to kill you.’

Kate Brown, Domestic Abuse lead for the CPS, said: “Victims are left fearing for their life in these cases, and we are clear that we take this offending very seriously.

“To see so many children exposed to this kind of violence, often against their own mum, must have a huge impact on them. This is something our prosecutors are trained to consider as we’re building our case.

“This type of offending doesn’t often happen in isolation, suspects may show aggression and violence, regularly leaving victims with serious physical injuries and psychological trauma.

“We are working with our partners to ensure that whenever our legal test is met, we are pursuing non-fatal strangulation and suffocation prosecutions and holding these violent offenders to account.”

The further violence associated with this type of offending was clear as 72% were also charged with assault and 13% charged with threats to kill.

Prosecutors will continue charging non-fatal strangulation or suffocation where there is sufficient evidence in order to further protect victims and their family from repeated offending.

Bernie Ryan, Chief Executive of the Institute for Addressing Strangulation, said: “The Institute for Addressing Strangulation welcomes the action taken by the CPS to review these cases 6 months after the introduction of the offence of non-fatal strangulation.

“The Institute for Addressing Strangulation will continue to work with the CPS and other agencies to raise awareness of the offence, the risks associated with strangulation and the support available to survivors.”