Artwork by Sarah Sabri, Advanced Course Class #18

E-News: What We Learned in 2023 - Updates from the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention

Dear Friends,

 

As we find ourselves already in the second month of the year, it's a perfect time to reflect on the journey we've had and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. 2023 was a year filled with challenges and victories, and we are deeply grateful for everyone who contributed to our shared mission.


For those who missed our recent webinar on What We Learned in 2023, we are pleased to share the recording with you. Given that there was so much information to share during our webinar, we decided to summarize the highlights and share those resources with all of our friends in an E-News. Below, we take the opportunity to share new strangulation laws from 2023. Additionally, we've also included our favorite case law and our favorite medical articles. Lastly, we share our most popular webinar from 2023 with the help of Dr. Debby Herbenick.


The webinar shared in this E-News is just the beginning of a series of webinars that will be hosted by leading experts on emerging issues, including domestic violence/strangulation, as well as other important topics. We encourage everyone to join us on March 7th for our upcoming webinar on How to Implement a Strangulation Protocol in Less Than Six Months.


It is with heavy hearts that we begin this year with the loss of our dear friend Greensboro Police Sgt. Dale Nix. His contributions to our cause were invaluable, and they will forever hold a special place in our hearts. Let us honor Dale's memory by continuing their legacy of kindness, compassion, and commitment to making the world a better place.


As we look ahead to the possibilities that 2024 holds, we reaffirm our commitment to creating pathways to Hope and healing for survivors. Together, we can make a difference.

 

Always with great Hope,

 

Casey, Gael, Joe, Fernanda, Jess, Jill, and Jahlyssa

Webinar Recording:

What We Learned in 2023: Updates from the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention

New Laws from 2023

  1. Nevada passes Domestic Violence Exam Law (Link).
  2. Oregon passes Domestic Violence Exam Law (Link).
  3. Tennessee authorizes strangulation assault with loss of consciousness to be filed as attempted murder (Link).
  4. DC passes Strangulation Statute (Link).
  5. Virginia adds Suffocation to their Strangulation Statute (Link).
  6. Ireland passes stand-alone Strangulation Statute and restricts the consent defense (Link).

Favorite Medical Articles from 2023

  1. Failure to Screen for Strangulation is “Professional Dangerousness” (Link).
  2. Structural Brain Morphology in Young Adult Women Who Have Been Choked/Strangled During Sex: A Whole-Brain Surface Morphometry Study (Link).
  3. A Retrospective Analysis of the Clinical Use and Utility of Advanced Imaging in the Evaluation of Near-Hanging and Strangulation Injuries at a Canadian Level One Trauma Centre (Link).
  4. Characterizing Possible Acute Brain Injury in Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence: A Retrospective Chart Review (Link).
  5. Medical Evidence Assisting Non-Fatal Strangulation Prosecution: A Scoping Review (Link).

Favorite Case Law from 2023

  1. Complete Inability to Breathe Not Required to Prove Strangulation - Reynolds v. Commonwealth, 2023 WL 2487316 (Spotsylvania) (Link).
  2. Defense Expert Admits Even in Severe Strangulation Cases Victims May Have No Visible Injury - Petrovics v. Commonwealth, 2023 WL 3468338 (Spotsylvania) (Link).
  3. Consent Not Relevant in Strangulation Prosecution - State v. Stone, 324 Or.App. 688 (2023, Oregon) (Link).
  4. Strangulation Successfully Charged as Attempted Murder - Louisiana State v. Meek, 2023 WL 7403585, Unpublished (Link).
  5. Subsequent Bad Acts Admissible to Show State of Mind - Moore v. Commonwealth, 2023 WL 4065171 (Pittsylvania) (Link).

Most Popular Webinar from 2023

Upcoming Trainings

  • Kankakee, IL - Two-Day In-Person training - March 13 and 14, 2024
  • Ottawa, Canada - Two-Day In-Person training - March 27 and 28, 2024
  • Linn County, OR - One-Day In-Person training - May 3, 2024
  • Highland, IN - Two-Day In-Person training - June 4 and 5, 2024

This project is supported all or in part by Grant No.15JOVW-23-GK-05151-MUMU awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.