Too often, abuse is brushed off as a “private matter.” Something couples should “work out.” Something that will “blow over.” But here is the hard truth: silence and passive support of the abuser can kill.
When someone says:
👉 “They tried to strangle me.”
👉 “I’ve reported it to my doctor and to the police.”
…and yet friends, family, even authorities continue to side with the abuser — the victim is left completely unprotected.
Strangulation is not a “fight.” It is one of the clearest predictors of homicide in abusive relationships. Survivors who have been strangled are 7 times more likely to be killed by their partner in the future.
So when people ignore it, excuse it, or worse, stand with the abuser, they are not being “neutral.” They are actively increasing the risk that the victim will not survive.
🚨 What you can do instead:
- Believe them. If someone says they’ve been strangled, take it as the emergency it is.
- Support them. Offer safety, resources, or simply stand by their side when they seek help.
- Refuse to enable. Don’t normalize the abuser’s behavior with silence or excuses.
- Act. If danger is immediate, call emergency services.
Abuse does not resolve itself. Without intervention, it escalates — often fatally.
💜 The choice is simple: stand with the victim and protect life, or side with the abuser and risk blood on your hands.
