Experts equip frontline against strangulation dangers
It’s a high risk and high harm control tactic used by domestic violence perpetrators.
While many victims survive, they may suffer serious consequences.
To better assist these survivors, non-fatal strangulation will be in the spotlight at a Queensland event for frontline workers.
The Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research (QCDFVR) and the Red Rose Foundation have partnered to bring international experts to a Mackay symposium to better equip those working with strangulation survivors.
Understanding and Responding to Non-Fatal Strangulation is on Friday 26 June.
It features world-leading clinical forensic police surgeon Dr Bill Smock, who has investigated and reconstructed hundreds of fatal and non-fatal strangulation cases across the United States.
He is joined by co-founder of Alliance for HOPE International and the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, legal advocate Gael Strack.
The session is for domestic and family violence (DFV) practitioners, police, health professionals, social workers, lawyers, victim support workers, counsellors, community service workers and other frontline professionals.
Registration is essential, and spaces are limited.
‘Last warning shot’
CQUniversity research at QCDFVR has found that strangulation is often used by intimate partners to ensure their victim understands that they “can or will kill” them by restricting their breathing.
Ms Strack describes strangulation as the “last warning shot” for future abuse and even fatality: experiencing strangulation puts victims at seven times higher risk of being killed by the same partner in subsequent DFV attacks.
QCDFVR Director Associate Professor Heather Lovatt says better understanding of the risks and harms associated with strangulation will help frontline responders better support victims.
“The impacts of non-fatal strangulation can often be hidden, but our research with victims highlighted so many long-term impacts for their physical and mental health,” she said.
“At the same time, their experiences seeking support through the health and legal systems were often inadequate – there just isn’t awareness of the deep mental and physical trauma that strangulation causes.”
Supporting victims
Since 2016, the Red Rose Foundation has advocated for specific non-lethal strangulation legislation to be introduced into every state and territory in Australia.
Acknowledging the criticality of research and informed practice in this space QCDFVR and the Red Rose Foundation have partnered since 2020 to undertake critical research on this topic.
Understanding and Responding to Non-Fatal Strangulation is at Ocean International Hotel Mackay on Friday 26 June, 9am – 2pm.
Registration is $85 and includes morning tea and a networking lunch, REGISTER NOW TO ATTEND.
Explore more research, education, training and sector support at the Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research website.
