Strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence — yet many victims minimize it because there are often few or no visible marks. In this episode, Autumn breaks down what strangulation actually is, why it is medically dangerous, and why it is one of the strongest predictors of homicide in abusive relationships.

This episode explains:

• The difference between choking and strangulation

• How little pressure is required to stop blood flow to the brain

• How quickly unconsciousness and death can occur

• Why bruising often does not appear immediately — or at all

• Short-term and long-term medical effects

• How to document strangulation safely and discreetly

• Why strangulation is treated as a high-lethality warning sign

If you have experienced strangulation — even once — your fear is valid. Your safety matters. Support exists, and you deserve to access it when you are ready.

🔗 Resources:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline — Call 1-800-799-7233 or chat at: ⁠https://www.thehotline.org⁠

• Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention. (2022). Strangulation Fact Sheet. ⁠https://www.strangulationtraininginstitute.com⁠

• Journal of Emergency Medicine, 35(3), 329–335. ⁠https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2007.05.042⁠

• Campbell, J.C., Webster, D., & Glass, N. (2009). The Danger Assessment: Validation of a lethality risk assessment instrument for intimate partner femicide. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 24(4), 653–674.

• Wilbur, L., Higley, M., Hatfield, J., Surprenant, Z., Taliaferro, E., Smith, D. J., & Paolo, A. (2001). Survey results of women who have been strangled while in an abusive relationship. Journal of Emergency Medicine, 21(3), 297–302.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline. Understanding Strangulation. ⁠https://www.thehotline.org/resources/understanding-strangulation/⁠

• American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Clinical Guidelines

  🎧 Listen, Follow & Share: Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream.

  👉 Follow us @AlmostObliviousPodcast on IG or FB

  📢 Share this episode to help break the silence and broaden the conversation.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Almost Oblivious Community on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Connect with others and share your story

  If you would like to submit your story or be a guest speaker, please submit a form here! If there are any topics that you think should be covered, please reach out to us!

  • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlmostObliviousPodcast.com/contact⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AlmostObliviousPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AlmostObliviousPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠