When an abuser resorts to strangulation, it is not just another act of violence. It is one of the clearest and most chilling warnings that your life is in danger.

Strangulation is about power and control at the most terrifying level: the abuser literally places your life in their hands. Survivors often describe the look in their partner’s eyes as cold, detached, almost as if they were watching themselves decide whether or not to end a life.

Research shows:

• Victims who have been strangled are 7 times more likely to later be killed by their abuser.
• Many strangulation survivors report that their abuser minimized it afterward, calling it a “fight” or saying “I didn’t mean it.” But there is nothing casual about cutting off someone’s air supply.
• Even if you survive, strangulation can cause lasting brain injury, memory problems, and trauma.

👉 When an abuser crosses this line, there are no limits to how far they might go. The risk of escalation is extreme.

🚨 What needs to happen:

• Take it seriously: Strangulation is an attempted murder, not a “domestic dispute.”
• Believe survivors: When someone says, “They strangled me,” believe them the first time.
• Act quickly: Doctors, police, and friends must treat this as an emergency, not a relationship problem.
• Break the silence: Every time we excuse or dismiss this violence, we increase the risk of another life being lost.

Strangulation is a flashing red light: it means the abuse has reached a point where survival is no longer guaranteed.

💜 If you or someone you love has been strangled by a partner, get help immediately. Your life may depend on it.