New strangulation laws can save lives

To the Editor:

On November 11, 2010 a new law went into effect that enhanced Law Enforcement’s ability to investigate and charge crimes associated with Domestic Violence. That law created three new crimes pertaining to the act of strangulation: P.L. § 121.11-Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation (A Misdemeanor); P.L. § 121.12 Strangulation in the Second Degree (D Violent Felony); and P.L. § 121.13 Strangulation in the First Degree (C Violent Felony). Prior to this legislation, in New York State, a person could have been strangled almost to the point of death and yet criminal charges may not have been applicable if there were no physical injuries.

Since these new laws went into effect law enforcement has responded and have been charging abusers under the new strangulation law. Unfortunately when the media reports these arrests they are often characterized as “choking” cases.

Choking occurs when a foreign object blocks someone’s windpipe, like a piece of candy. Strangulation is a form of asphyxia (lack of oxygen), which occurs when the carotid arteries or jugular veins are blocked by pressure being applied to the neck or throat, or when the airway of the mouth or nose is blocked.

A victim that was strangled will frequently have either minimal or no visible signs of injury. This result can be explained by the fact that it only requires eleven pounds of pressure applied for ten seconds to cause someone to lose consciousness; at times without any sign of injuries.

All too often, we tend to minimize the severity of strangulation. Labeling this action as “choking” is one way of minimizing its severity. These cases MUST be taken seriously. A victim who may have no visible injuries at the time of the incident could die, up to days or weeks after the incident, due to the progressive and irreversible effects of the strangulation. In addition, strangulation is an increased risk factor for homicide, with some studies indicating that the odds of homicide are almost ten times more likely if there was a prior attempt to strangle.

Strangulation, unfortunately, is a very common form of power and control that an abuser may exercise over a victim. In New York, a large percentage of domestic incident or arrest reports indicate that the victim was “choked”. National studies have found that between 30 to 68% of women in abusive relationships are strangled during the course of the relationship. Therefore, it is critical that in every domestic violence case, law enforcement inquire as to whether the victim was strangled.

Strangulation is often one of the last abusive acts committed by a violent domestic partner before murder. This new law has clearly increased the awareness of many victims, service providers, and criminal justice personnel about the potential lethality of strangulation. We believe that this is a positive step in enhancing victim safety, holding abusers accountable, and trying to prevent domestic homicides in our communities.

Alan P Mulkin, Chief of Police, Canton

Ilene J Burke, Executive Director, Renewal House

Trenton M Clark, Facilitator, Offender Accountability Group, Catholic Charities