Prevalence of strangulation in survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence

McQuown, Colleen M; Frey, Jennifer A.; Steer, Sheila; Fletcher, Gwendolyn E.; Kinkopf, Brett; Fakler, Michelle; Prulhiere, Valorie

doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2016.04.029

Cited by 68 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 6 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The data of this cross‐sectional survey is in line with a case series of 300 NFSs in the USA in which police officers rather than doctors examined victims, and found that 50% had no visible markings on the neck and 35% of the victims had very minor injuries . A 2016 American study looking at the prevalence of NFS in survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, found that it was more strongly associated with domestic violence (38%) than sexual assault (10%), and that they were more likely to be assaulted by their intimate partner than another family member . A 2018 American study also found that the number and severity of injuries increased with repeated strangulations …”

Section: How Do People Present In Australia?supporting

confidence: 76%

“…Three of the case series focused on imaging . There were seven retrospective observational studies in which either the prevalence of NFS or its injuries were measured . There was one case control trial .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…30,31,42 There were seven retrospective observational studies in which either the prevalence of NFS or its injuries were measured. 3,[49][50][51][52][53][54] There was one case control trial. 2 Fifteen review articles were found examining the existing literature, 11 of which were from a predominantly medical perspective.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Review article: Non‐fatal strangulation: Hidden injuries, hidden risks

Boos

2019

Emerg Medicine Australasia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Non‐fatal strangulation (NFS) can be a cause of severe injury. However, the prevalence and rates of injuries from NFS are unknown, as few victims present to medical attention after strangulation. As up to 40% of fatal strangulations have no external signs, and the majority of surviving victims have few or minor injuries, finding those people severely injured remains challenging. The majority of the evidence regarding NFS is largely based on case reports and case series with no robust studies estimating rates of injuries or the best investigation tools. The injuries that are reported make clear that strangulation is a potentially lethal form of injury that should not be ignored in those presenting having been strangled, or in those presenting with neurological symptoms, including strokes, seizures and vascular abnormalities. The safety implications of strangulation are also important as it can be a prelude to homicide. A search of the literature was carried out with the following terms: Nonfatal strangulation (10), Nonfatal strangulation (17), ‘Strangulation injuries’ (19), ‘Manual strangulation’ (92) – laboratory testing eliminated, and ‘choking game’. The PubMed database was used first, followed by the collections of Monash University and the Strangulation Institute (as some articles were too old to find electronically). This article summarises the injuries that can occur following strangulation and discusses the quality of the evidence thus far.

show abstract

Section: How Do People Present In Australia?supporting

confidence: 76%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Review article: Non‐fatal strangulation: Hidden injuries, hidden risks

Boos

2019

Emerg Medicine Australasia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Non‐fatal strangulation (NFS) is a global public health and human rights issue . Prevalence estimates of NFS in sexual assault (SA) range from 7.4% to 12% . Strangulation associated with SA poses a lethality risk, both at the time of assault and through risk for future strangulation.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These results indicate that NFS is common in SA involving females. Our findings are consistent with research showing that survivors experiencing SA by current/former partners are at an increased risk of lethality, followed by SA perpetrated by strangers. Furthermore, many survivors face a heightened risk of lethality through the combination of weapons and strangulation.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%