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Suffolk Constabulary has confirmed more than 1,000 offences of intentional non-fatal strangulation have been recorded in the county after a law was introduced in June 2022 to protect victims of domestic abuse.
Intentional strangulation was made a specific offence in June 2022 as part of the government’s Domestic Abuse Act. The offence typically involves a perpetrator strangling or intentionally affecting their victim’s ability to breathe in an attempt to control or intimidate them. It followed concerns that perpetrators were avoiding punishment as the act can often leave no visible injury, making it harder to prosecute under existing offences such as Actual Bodily Harm (ABH).
To date, more than 90 people have been charged with the offence in Suffolk and many more continue to be subject to investigation and the judicial process.
Detective Superintendent Kerry Cutler said: “Prior to this new law, perpetrators were avoiding punishment and often convicted for other crimes that didn’t properly reflect the seriousness of their actions.
“Strangulation is dangerous, its life threatening and the impact it can have on the victim is not only medical but also psychological.
“Whilst most cases are still going through the judicial process, we have seen perpetrators given custodial sentences since the law was passed. In November 2023 a man was jailed for 20 months for intentional strangulation; in September 2023 a man was jailed for 34 months’ imprisonment for two counts of intentional strangulation and one count of assault by beating.
“For those cases where there has been insufficient evidence to bring forward a charge for intentional strangulation, police and prosecutors will focus on the behaviour and actions of the suspect before, during and after the alleged offence, taking into account any digital evidence, CCTV footage and witness statements, following which other charges can be considered to safeguard the victim from repeat offending.
“Strangulation often indicates violence is escalating and we urge anyone in an abusive relationship to seek help.”
For more information, advice and details of support organisations, please visit https://www.suffolk.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/
Suffolk Constabulary’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore added: “We need to do all we can to support victims, so this new law made perfect sense to me. I hope this will lead to more successful prosecutions.
“Abusers should not be able to get away with deliberately restricting their victim’s ability to breathe. I am reassured to see the Constabulary now has additional processes in place to deal with these abusive thugs.”
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