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Williams, a survivor of domestic abuse and a dedicated campaigner, played a crucial role in the introduction of strangulation offences into UK law. In 2011, she was shot by her ex-husband after he unexpectedly entered her hair salon in Newport, causing her severe, life-altering injuries. Reflecting on her experience, Williams revealed that the incident was preceded six weeks earlier by a violent strangulation episode that prompted her to leave the relationship. She described the attack vividly, recounting how the intense strangulation woke her children upstairs, with one mistaking the noises for a pig squealing. Despite this, Williams admitted that she had previously downplayed these strangulation incidents, often dismissing them as minor since they usually left only a sore throat.
Unaware of the full dangers at the time, Williams did not understand the serious health consequences of strangulation, which the NHS reports can include strokes, brain injuries, and long-lasting cognitive impairments. This lack of awareness fueled her determination to advocate for legal reform, as she realized how dangerously close she had come to death during those attacks. She emphasized her satisfaction with the progress being made, noting, “It’s great to see the figures in this report, which show the awareness is out there and victims are seeing the seriousness and deciding to report this.” However, Williams also stressed the likelihood that actual cases are underreported, as many victims may still feel unable to approach law enforcement.
The Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS), established in October 2022 with financial support from the Home Office, recently published an impact report outlining the UK’s evolving understanding and response to strangulation, four years after the offence became law. The report includes data showing a 13% rise in police reports compared to the previous year and reveals that the Crown Prosecution Service has prosecuted 24,446 strangulation offences since the law was enacted. Dr. Helen Bichard, a principal clinical psychologist with the North Wales Brain Injury Service and a contributor to the funding bid that led to IFAS’s creation, explained that her 2020 research was instrumental in highlighting strangulation’s impact on the brain, influencing the government’s decision to introduce legislation. While praising the legal change, she emphasized the need for further measures, noting that establishing the law had outpaced the development of essential supportive systems, which is why IFAS was created.
One significant advancement led by IFAS has been the creation of medical guidelines addressing strangulation, filling a previous gap in UK healthcare. Dr. Bichard highlighted their life-saving potential, stating, “They are a first of its kind, they will save lives – there is no greater impact than that.” She stressed the importance of healthcare professionals understanding both the circumstances and consequences of strangulation, noting its potentially devastating effects and its use as an effective method of violence. The NHS underscores the dangers of non-fatal strangulation, warning that oxygen deprivation to the brain can result in strokes, brain injuries, loss of consciousness, or enduring cognitive damage—even in the absence of visible injuries. Additionally, evidence shows women under 40 who have been strangled face a significantly heightened risk of stroke.
Bernie Ryan OBE, Chief Executive of IFAS, reflected on the progress made since the offence became law, noting that four years ago many victims of non-fatal strangulation were not believed or adequately referred for care. Thanks to a specialist national training programme delivered in collaboration with SafeLives, over 22,000 frontline professionals have now been trained to recognize and respond to strangulation cases. Ryan remarked, “This report demonstrates what can be achieved when government, clinicians, researchers, specialist organisations and survivors work together towards a shared goal, while reminding us there is still much more to do.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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