Knowledge is Power
Five Predictors of Intimate Partner Homicide (IPV)
Intimate partner homicide, also known as domestic violence homicide, is a severe and often preventable issue that occurs when a current or former romantic partner kills an individual as part of the cycle of domestic violence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of all female homicides in the United States are committed by a current or former intimate partner.
Several predictors increase the risk of intimate partner homicide, including:
- Strangulation: One of the top predictors of intimate partner homicide is the act of strangulation. Strangulation occurs when an individual intentionally restricts oxygen or blood flow to the brain by applying pressure to the neck or throat. This can be done using various methods, including hands, arms, ropes, or other objects. Research has shown that victims of domestic violence strangulation are at a significantly higher risk of being killed by their abuser in the future.
- Access to firearms: Another predictor of intimate partner homicide is access to firearms. Studies have found that the presence of a firearm in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by more than 500%.
- Prior domestic violence: A history of domestic violence strongly predicts intimate partner homicide. Victims of domestic violence who have experienced physical abuse, sexual abuse, or stalking are at a higher risk of being killed by their abuser.
- Separation or attempted separation: Attempting to leave an abusive relationship can be a dangerous time for victims of domestic violence. Research has shown that victims are at a higher risk of being killed by their abuser during or after a separation.
- Threats of harm or death: Threats of harm or death made by an abusive partner can also be a predictor of intimate partner homicide. These threats can be verbal or written and include statements such as "I'll kill you if you leave me" or "I'll make sure no one else will have you."
It is crucial for victims of domestic violence and their loved ones to be aware of these predictors and to seek help if they are at risk of intimate partner homicide. This can include seeking assistance from a domestic violence hotline, seeking a restraining order, or contacting law enforcement.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Intimate partner violence. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Nonfatal strangulation. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/nonfatal_strangulation.html
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2019). Domestic violence and child abuse: The role of the pediatrician. Pediatrics, 143(2), e20183469. doi: 10.1542/peds.2018-3469
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline. (2019). Strangulation: The invisible weapon. Retrieved from https://www.thehotline.org/wp-content/uploads/Strangulation-The-Invisible-Weapon.pdf
- Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund. (2020). Domestic violence and guns. Retrieved from https://www.everytownresearch.org/domestic-violence-and-guns/
Strangulation (AKA: Chokeholds)
During the cycle of domestic violence, strangulation (often referred to as a chokehold) is one of the most intimate forms of violating an individual's liberty. It restricts the freedom of movement; the perpetrator holds the power of life and death in their hands. As stated by Casey Gwinn in video #4, it has also proven to be a marker for homicide in a relationship involving physical abuse. Serial rapists often use strangulation. In the late '60s and early 70s, photographer Rodney Alcala - who has been compared to notorious killer Ted Bundy – strangled 130 victims before resuscitating and raping them.
More recently, in 2016, a 32-year-old San Antonio man named Johnny Joe Avalos was convicted of the rape and strangulation death of five women. whose ages ranged from 15 and 46. These are just two of the many predators that lurk in the streets.
A man who uses strangulation to dominate and control his relationship is statistically 7X more likely to kill his female partner. Repeated near/non-fatal strangulation can also produce long-term medical complications long after the relationship has ended.
Strangulation facts and the cycle of domestic violence
The neck is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body. It is the pathway for importing oxygenated blood to the brain and removing used blood from the brain. The neck is also the gateway for ingesting nutrients (food/water) into the body and oxygen to the lungs. The neck houses part of our spine; it allows the brain to send signals to our limbs, which helps us feel pain, walk, run, and so much more.
Attacking the neck can shut down the brain by restricting blood flow or stopping someone from breathing.
Starving the brain of blood flow:
When you starve the brain of fresh blood or prevent the egress of used blood, brain cells die after 3-4 minutes. The two primary blood flow pathways are via the carotid arteries (which send new oxygen-rich blood to brain cells) and the jugular veins (which remove the used blood from the brain). Once the blood supply is shut down, unconsciousness can occur in under 10 seconds.
Grabbing and squeezing the neck with a hand or arm (or any other type of implement wrapped around the neck can) deny blood flow to and from the brain. It takes approximately 4.4 psi on the jugular vein to stop the blood flow from leaving the brain – comparatively, pulling the trigger on a handgun only takes 6 psi. Likewise, to cut off blood flow to the carotid artery, it only takes about 11 psi – less than the amount of pressure to open a can of soda, which is about 20 psi.
Stopping airflow:
Another area of the neck that can place a victim into a state of unconsciousness and injure or kill them is compressing the trachea or windpipe with hands or arms. Depriving a victim of oxygen takes only about 33 psi, less than the hand squeeze between two average adult males during a handshake (approximately 40 – 100 psi).
When she says, "He choked me!" Educate her so she can make an informed decision. Offer hope and support. Because the victim survived the trauma, this does not mean they are okay. Did you know that most strangulation assaults show no visible signs of injury?
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Medical Complications from Strangulation
Domestic violence strangulation, also known as nonfatal strangulation or choking, is a serious and often underreported form of abuse. Strangulation can have both short-term and long-term medical complications for victims. Strangulation occurs when an individual intentionally restricts oxygen or blood flow to the brain by applying pressure to the neck or throat. The assault uses various methods, including hands, arms, ropes, or other objects.
In the short term, strangulation can cause a variety of medical complications, including:
- Loss of consciousness: Strangulation can cause the victim to lose consciousness within seconds, leading to brain damage or even death.
- Respiratory distress: Strangulation can also cause respiratory distress, resulting in difficulty breathing, coughing, or hoarseness.
- Headache and dizziness: Victims may experience headaches and dizziness due to the lack of oxygen to the brain.
- Chest pain: Strangulation can cause chest pain due to the pressure applied to the neck and chest.
- Numbness or tingling: Due to the lack of blood flow, victims may experience numbness or tingling in their fingers and toes.
In the long term, strangulation can have even more severe medical complications, including:
- Trauma to the neck: Strangulation can cause trauma to the neck, leading to chronic pain and mobility issues.
- Damage to the brain: Lack of oxygen can cause permanent brain damage, leading to cognitive and behavioral issues.
- Eye damage: Strangulation can damage the eyes, leading to vision problems or blindness.
- Damage to the vocal cords: Strangulation can cause damage to the vocal cords, leading to hoarseness or difficulty speaking.
- Emotional and mental health issues: Strangulation victims may also experience emotional and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
It is essential for healthcare providers to be aware of the short-term and long-term medical complications of domestic violence strangulation and to provide proper care and support to victims. It is also crucial for victims to seek medical attention and to report the abuse to authorities to prevent future harm. Help stop domestic violence by educating others around you.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Nonfatal strangulation. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/nonfatal_strangulation.html
- National Domestic Violence Hotline. (n.d.). Strangulation. Retrieved from https://www.thehotline.org/is-this-abuse/strangulation/
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2019). Domestic violence and child abuse: The role of the pediatrician. Pediatrics, 143(2), e20183469. doi: 10.1542/peds.2018-3469
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline. (2019). Strangulation: The invisible weapon. Retrieved from https://www.thehotline.org/wp-content/uploads/Strangulation-The-Invisible-Weapon.pdf
60 Seconds to Death
The Institute on Strangulation Prevention released a timeline depicting what a chokehold (strangulation) victim may experience when grabbed around the neck for up to 157 seconds.
The below chart represents the effects of strangulation on an adult male. When choked, the victim stops breathing at just over 60 seconds (62 seconds). When strangled, the average adult male loses consciousness within 10 seconds; Between 11-17 seconds, the victim goes into an anoxic seizure - in layperson's terms, the victim loses consciousness followed by stiffening and clonus jerking of the limbs, which could last anywhere from 30 - 60 seconds. Commonly, the victim may experience loss of bladder bowel control up to 30 seconds into the chokehold. Shortly after, breathing stops.
The next time you hear, "He choked me." we want you to think about this chart. When intimate partner violence victims are in a chokehold, they are at their partner's mercy.