STRANGULATION
The perpetration of strangulation is a serious problem globally. There is no safe way to strangle someone. Strangulation is a terrorising and overpowering assault, yet victims always resist and respond to the violence used against them even when their options are narrowing and limited.
We invite you to explore these free (donated) insights and resources about understanding and responding to strangulation.
ANIMATION
The dangers of strangulation
View/share/embed the dangers of strangulation animation (5mins).
This animation contains descriptions of and resistance and responses to violence and abuse. The end of animation refers to two reflection resources: My Safety Kit and My Dignity
MODULE (New)
Understanding and responding to strangulation
View/share/embed Building understanding of and responses to strangulation (45mins) (New 2025) The module has been developed for any responder in any role. Lived experience insights about strangulation have shaped, and feature in the module.
© 2025 Insight Exchange | Production with Reilly Baker & Mitchell Janson | Embedded animations developed with: Guy Downes | Strangulation Collection Artworks: Collaborating Artist Louise Whelan, Original Ink Illustrations: Guy Downes. References: Open the related list of references.
SESSION (FREE)
Book a virtual session (60mins) for team
Anyone can view the module any time. To support team responses, the module (Strangulation) is also being shared in free (donated) 60min virtual session.
Teams can make use of this opportunity and these resources to talk together about building on social, service and system responses to strangulation.
Team virtual session structure: 60 mins
- 45mins view the digital module &
- 15mins Q&A with Insight Exchange Associate Danielle Allen.
Click on the button below to book a team session.
LISTENING TO LIVED EXERIENCE
Sometimes people who have been subjected to strangulation describe this as ‘being choked’. Explore insights from Nicole, Maya, & Maryam.
Strangulation is when external pressure to the neck causes the closure of blood vessel and or air ways, resulting in a deprivation of oxygen to the body. Explore insights from Janine, Brianna, & Sophie.
External pressure can be put on the neck by any means, such as
- one or both hands. Explore insights from Sam, & Bec.
- being tied or having pressure applied by an object such as a rope, belt or scarf. Explore insights from Melinda, Janine, & Rose.
- ‘being throttled’, or being ‘held in a headlock’ or ‘pinned by an elbow or knee’. Explore insights from Maryam, & Jules.
There may be seen or unseen impacts from being strangled. Explore insights from Laura, & Amira.
Sometimes victim-survivors who have been subjected to strangulation have also been subjected to knocks, hits or harm to their head. The assaults may not have been perpetrated at the same point in time. And the resulting injuries may not present immediately. Explore insights from Lee.
Strangulation is an act of control. Strangulation is a way for a perpetrator to exert power over the other person/s.
When a perpetrator chooses to strangle another person, they dehumanise and degrade the person they are harming. Strangulation is an assault on dignity.
When a person chooses to strangle someone, they silence them and can harm them. Explore insights from Alexander, Marion, & Francis.
The person perpetrating violence may use strangulation once or many times and may do this suddenly and with increasing intensity. Explore insights from Sophie, & Sally.
Perpetrators may choose to use the mounting threat of strangulation to silence the victim or as a controlling reminder of their capability and preparedness to injure or kill. Explore insights from Joey & Janine.
Perpetrators of violence and abuse may minimise their actions describing themselves as being momentarily ‘out of control’ when in fact strangulation is a deliberate act of taking and intensifying control. Explore insights from Dorothy.
Adeline's lived experience insights about being subjected to strangulation are featured alongside the five original artworks by collaborating artist Louise Whelan in the Arts Lab Strangulation Collection (below). Click on one of the images below to open the collection in a lightbox. Arts Lab Strangulation Collection | Artworks © Louise Whelan. These artworks were developed with Insight Exchange and each image is protected by copyright.
Additional Resources List
The additional resources list is designed to support people who viewed the Insight Exchange Foundations Module - Understanding and responding to strangulation with awareness of a range of tools, projects, networks, resources about strangulation, concussion, and acquired brain injury. This list of external resources is illustrative and not exhaustive or conclusive.
PORNOGRAPHY - STRANGULATION
Explore examples of insights and initiatives focused on the influence of pornography
It’s Time We talked (Australia) It’s time we talked is a violence prevention initiative that supports young people, parents, schools, government and the community sector to understand and address the influence of pornography. https://itstimewetalked.com/
Breathless (Australia) - An Australian website and social media campaign regarding strangulation as a dangerous sexual practice and links to research on prevalence data. https://www.breathlesscampaign.com/
Our Watch (Australia) Our Watch is a national leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia. It strives to embed gender equality and prevent violence where Australians live, learn, work and socialise. https://media-cdn.ourwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/11/20022415/Pornography-young-people-preventing-violence.pdf
The Light Project (NZ) Accessible information and resources for young people navigating sexually explicit online content including strangulation. In The Know | Got questions about porn, nudes or online sexual stuff? https://www.intheknow.co.nz/