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STRANGULATION
Has your neck, head, or face been injured?
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If somebody has caused an injury to your neck, head, or face, you may have experienced strangulation, or the obstruction of blood or oxygen flow to your brain.
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Being choked, strangled, or hurt in the head can cause concussion or brain injury. Symptoms can develop or get worse over time, even without any bruises or marks.
Strangulation is a violent crime.
Strangulation of a partner or family member is a felony offense in Montana because of the severity of harm and damage it can cause, and its correlation to lethality in domestic violence cases.
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Under Montana law, strangulation of a partner or family member is defined as “purposely or knowingly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of a partner or family member by applying pressure to the throat or neck, or by blocking airflow to the nose or mouth.”
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If the victim of strangulation is not a partner or family member, the act might still be considered a felony offense depending on the specific circumstances and potential for other charges. Regardless of a victim’s relationship to the perpetrator, strangulation is a violent form of assault that can come with serious long-term health risks for victims.
What to know about strangulation and your safety
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Being strangled or choked can be terrifying and very dangerous. Even if you don’t have any marks, serious injuries can happen under the skin, get worse over the next few days, or cause long-term or fatal damage.
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Strangulation in the context of an intimate partner relationship is a serious risk factor for future harm and even fatality. Research indicates a strong correlation between strangulation and intimate partner homicide:
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One study of homicide victims killed by an intimate partner found that 43% had experienced a non-fatal strangulation by their partner prior to their murder.
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In attempted homicides by an intimate partner, 45% of victims had been strangled before the attempted murder.
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Some research estimates that being strangled by a partner even one time increases a victim’s risk of being murdered by the perpetrator by over 600%.​
To learn more about some of the key issues intersecting with domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, visit our Resources page.
We Are Here to Help
Regardless of how long ago a sexual assault occurred, having a safe place to talk may be important for a survivor's recovery process. If you or a loved one has experienced sexual assault, and you want to request services or simply talk about the situation, reach out to our office. All our services are free and confidential.