Training on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Strangulation

Strangulation impacts all professionals working on sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking cases.

Today, we know unequivocally that strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence: unconsciousness may occur within seconds and death within minutes.

Strangulation is one of the best predictors for the subsequent homicide of victims of domestic violence. One study showed that “the odds of becoming an attempted homicide increased by about seven-fold for women who had been strangled by their partner” (Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2008). Victims may have no visible injuries whatsoever, yet because of underlying brain damage due to the lack of oxygen during the strangulation assault, they may have serious internal injuries or die days, even weeks later.

The lack of external injuries and the lack of medical training among domestic violence professionals have led to the minimization of this type of violence, exposing victims to potential serious health consequences, further violence, and even death. Not only has strangulation been overlooked in the medical literature, but many states still do not adequately address this violence in their criminal statutes, policies or responses.

One in four women will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

Of women at high risk, up to 68% will experience near-fatal strangulation by their partner.

97% are strangled manually (with hands).

38% report losing consciousness.

35% are strangled during sexual assault or abuse.

70% believe they were going to die.

Homicide likelihood increases by 750% for victims who have been previously strangled, compared to victims who have never been strangled.

We offer a variety of on-site and online webinar-based trainings for all family violence and sexual assault professionals.

Attendees of our trainings learn how to:

• Identify the signs and symptoms of near-fatal strangulation cases
• Understand and recognize the anatomy and medical aspects of surviving and non-surviving victims
• Investigate and document cases for prosecution
• Prosecute cases including using experts in court
• Enhance victim safety through trauma-informed advocacy services.

Outcomes from past training sessions have reflected an increased awareness in cases involving strangulation; improved documentation and investigation of strangulation cases; increased prosecution of felony and misdemeanor strangulation cases; and increased offender accountability and victim safety.

Our courses are flexible and can be structured to meet the needs of your organization or community, including offering multiple days of training on various topics.

We provide many types of training, including:

• Keynote Addresses
• Conference Workshops
• One Day Courses
• Multiple Day Courses
• Webinars (Video and Audio)
• Four Day Advanced Strangulation Course

Our basic, 1 to 4 hour strangulation training is recommended for multi-disciplinary groups interested in learning the basics about the investigation, documentation, prosecution and advocacy of non-fatal strangulation cases.

Our 6 to 8 hour one day training is recommended for multi-disciplinary groups interested in learning the basics about the investigation, documentation, prosecution and advocacy of non-fatal strangulation cases and seeking to develop an integrated approach to responding to non-fatal strangulation cases. It's also recommended for communities with mobilized coordinated community response teams, SART, DVRT, Family Justice Centers and/or High Risk Teams.

Our multi-day courses are recommended for trainers, specialists, and teams, particularly multi-disciplinary groups who have already received training on the basics of the investigation, documentation, prosecution and advocacy of non-fatal strangulation cases; have developed an integrated approach to responding to non-fatal strangulation cases; and is now seeking to develop local trainers and/or specialization.

This training can also be customized for communities seeking to rollout a new protocol and/or develop specialized teams within their community. Recommended for communities with mobilized coordinated community response teams, SARTs, a DVRTs, Family Justice Centers and/or High Risk Teams seeking to develop a regional and/or statewide response.

Our 4-day advanced course is recommended for communities seeking to implement best practices. It's also recommended for multi-disciplinary groups who have already received training on the basics of the investigation, documentation, prosecution and advocacy of non-fatal strangulation cases; have developed an integrated approach to responding to domestic violence, sexual assault and/or child abuse cases who now seeking to expand their response to include non-fatal strangulation cases in all arenas.

This training is highly recommended for those communities now seeking to develop local trainers, experts and significantly increasing the prosecution rate of felony strangulation cases.

Recommended for communities who are highly motivated and mobilized with established coordinated community response teams, SART, DVRT, Family Justice Centers and/or High Risk Teams with strong partnerships with the medical community.

This training can also be customized for communities seeking to develop and/or rollout a new protocols, specialization, implementation plans and/or best practices within their community.

This training is perfect for developing a regional and/or statewide response with extraordinary results.