Women make up three quarters of the people killed by being strangled in England and Wales, a damning new report has found.

The study, by the Institute for Addressing Strangulation, discovered there were 342 strangulation homicides from 2011 to 2021 and 75 per cent of these victims were female.

Researchers, whose findings were obtained via Freedom of Information laws, found the most common place for a woman to be strangled or suffocated to death was in the home – with  86 per cent of strangulation homicides and 74 per cent of suffocation deaths taking place at home.

Bernie Ryan, the organisation’s chief executive, told The Independent they are “shocked” by all deaths stemming from strangulation.

He added: “Behind each death is a person who had family, friends, thoughts, feelings, and hopes and dreams. The data highlights that 96 per cent of cases of domestic strangulation homicides were perpetrated by males.

“This demonstrates that this is a gendered crime. We are aware that males also experience domestic abuse, however strangulation homicides tend to be against females by males, 75 per cent of victims of strangulation homicides are females. As highlighted more work needs to be done to explore this method of killing.”

Researchers found female victims of strangulation homicide were most likely to be aged between 25 and 34, while male victims were most frequently in the 35 to 44 age bracket.

Women victims of strangulation homicide who were older than 16 were 54 times more likely to have been killed by an ex-partner or partner than a male victim of strangulation homicide.

In 96 per cent of cases of domestic strangulation homicides where the victim was older than 16, the suspect was male.

Dr Gemma McKenzie, the report’s author, said: “This report highlights the terrible statistics regarding women being strangled and suffocated by (ex) partners in domestic homicide settings.

“It exposes the dark corners of this method of killing which warrant further investigation. These unexplored areas include infanticide, elder abuse, parricide (killing of a parent) and the circumstances of adult male victims of strangulation homicides.”

She called for “better recording and categorisation of Office for National Statistic (ONS) data related to strangulation and suffocation homicides which in turn will help increase awareness and understanding of the range of people who may become a victim of strangulation and suffocation homicide.”

Source: Maya Oppenheimer, Independent. Click here to view original post. 

While any form of domestic violence is serious, strangulation is an indicator of the likelihood of death for victims at the hands of an abuser.

Survivors previously strangled by their intimate partner are 800 times more likely to die by an offender’s attack, according to the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention.

Now, a special team is in place at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth to reduce the number of intimate partner homicides by strangulation in Tarrant County.

Strangulation is one of the most dangerous forms of violence but unlike other types of trauma, it’s difficult to detect. Less than 50% of strangulation victims suffer visible injury from the assault, making it easy to minimize or even overlook, according to Cindy Burnette, director of Texas Health’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program.

The new Strangulation Response Team, comprised of case workers from SafeHaven of Tarrant County’s High Risk Team, will respond 24/7 to hospitalized domestic violence victims identified as having experienced strangulation by their intimate partner.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today issued a Law Enforcement Directive establishing the framework for a response team — known as the “Breathing/Blood Flow Restriction Event: Advocacy, Treatment, Help, and Empowerment” (BREATHE) Team — responsible for responding to crimes of nonfatal strangulation and smothering.

Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive No. 2023-03 requires County Prosecutors to develop and implement procedures to refer victims of nonfatal strangulation and/or smothering for a forensic medical examination. This Directive builds upon the successful procedures already implemented in several counties, which established strangulation and smothering response teams. These BREATHE teams will consist of a qualified Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) to conduct a forensic medical exam, a law enforcement officer, and a victim advocate. This Directive also sets forth clear parameters that will help establish better emergency care to victims of these crimes and improve the quality of forensic evidence and information collected during these investigations for future prosecution.

Strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence and correlates to an approximately 750 percent increased risk of homicide of the domestic violence victim by the offender. Individuals with a history of strangling intimate partners have been linked to being perpetrators in officer-involved critical incidents, intentional line of duty homicides, and mass murders. Many victims of strangulation exhibit no visible signs of injuries, but, because of the physical trauma inflicted, they may sustain life-threatening internal injuries, including traumatic brain injury, damage to carotid arteries, stroke, and/or permanent visual impairment. Even when victims exhibit noticeable injuries associated with strangulation, the injuries may appear minor and limited to the area of the body where their abuser applied pressure.

This Directive is the latest step taken by Attorney General Platkin to address and combat violent crime through a victim-centered approach that prioritizes a victim’s health and well-being to minimize re-traumatization associated with the criminal justice process. By providing the support of victim advocates and service providers through the responding BREATHE Teams, survivors are empowered to engage and participate in the process.

The BREATHE initiative is made possible due to the investments in Governor Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which appropriates $4.2 million for FNEs as well as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. Previously, the State relied solely on federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) dollars for these nurse examiner resources. While VOCA funds have decreased over the years, the State has not only stepped up to ensure a continuity of these essential services, but has allowed for an expansion of on-call, activation, and exam fees to include non-fatal strangulation cases.

“Victims of violent crimes endure both physical and emotional pain, and implementing BREATHE teams in every county across the state will ensure that they have access to the comprehensive and specialized care they need and deserve,” said Attorney General Platkin. “We are committed to supporting survivors at every step on what can be a long and difficult road to healing and justice. We are grateful to Governor Murphy and the Legislature for including the necessary funding to support this expansion of Forensic Nurse Examiner services in the State’s FY24 budget.”

“The Division of Criminal Justice’s first priority is to save lives,” said J. Stephen Ferketic, Director of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Strangulation and smothering are two of the most lethal forms of violence, particularly in the intimate partner context. This Directive will help ensure survivors of these assaults receive the life-saving medical care they need and that their injuries are documented for future investigation and prosecution.”

“New Jersey’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Response Teams have proven that a multidisciplinary response to survivors of interpersonal violence are critical for supporting someone in the aftermath of victimization,” said Patricia Teffenhart, Executive Director of the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance. “Applying these same time-sensitive, survivor-centered, trauma-informed principles to support survivors of strangulation and smothering will save lives, connect survivors to services, and support those impacted by this heinous crime along their journey of healing.”

“The New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence is thankful to the Attorney General’s Office for creating BREATHE Teams,” said Denise Higgins, Legal Director of the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence. “Strangulation and other forms of breathing restriction by an intimate partner are strong predictors of future homicide. However, strangulation often goes unrecognized because victims may not have immediate visible injuries. This new response will provide victims with the necessary resources and support during this crucial stage. We value this multi-disciplinary approach that prioritizes the needs of victims and brings us closer to our shared goal of eradicating domestic violence in New Jersey.”

Under the new Directive, FNEs will receive specific training to be able to evaluate patients who have reported strangulation and/or smothering victimization. FNEs utilize specialized training, techniques, and equipment to gather samples, specimens, and photographs that may be used in the investigation and/or prosecution of these cases. As a result, forensic medical examinations of strangled and/or smothered victims can provide critical, life-saving medical services, as well as preserve potential evidence for future prosecution.

Pursuant to the Directive, FNEs, in coordination with law enforcement and advocates, will respond to any reported cases of strangulation and/or smothering that meet the following criteria:

1. The victim describes being strangled and/or smothered;
2. The victim consents to the forensic medical examination; and
3. The incident occurred within the past five (5) days and/or the victim exhibits continued visible signs of strangulation and/or smothering injury, or the victim reports experiencing continued symptoms of strangulation and/or smothering.

The Division of Criminal Justice, in collaboration with the 21 County Prosecutors, will be responsible for providing statewide training to FNEs, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and stakeholders about the procedures to be utilized by, and services provided by, BREATHE Teams across the state. Each county prosecutor’s office will work to implement county-specific procedures that satisfy the required framework established by the Attorney General’s Directive. Under the Attorney General’s Directive, BREATHE Teams will be operational in all 21 counties by January 1, 2024.

The standards and procedures in this Directive were developed by the Division of Criminal Justice Domestic Violence/Sexual Violence Policy and Training Unit, led by Deputy Director Theresa Hilton, in close collaboration with the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance, which was established by Attorney General Platkin in September 2022 to coordinate and advance the Office of the Attorney General’s victim-centered strategy by bringing together victim-related and violence intervention and prevention services currently dispersed throughout the Department of Law and Public Safety.

Source: Mathew J. Platkin, Office of the Attorney General, State of Kentucky. Click here to view original post. 

A parolee out on bail for possessing a gun while a felon was arrested Monday for fatally shooting a woman at her Pasadena apartment complex after a standoff with SWAT officers. Police say the shooting appears to be related to domestic violence but have not revealed the relationship between the suspect and the victim.

Guary Lonnie Shuford III, 32, of Los Angeles barricaded himself in the victim’s apartment in the 200 block of South Raymond Avenue then surrendered to SWAT officers after several hours. He was arrested without incident, said Lt. Monica Cuellar, spokeswoman for the Pasadena Police Department.

She identified the victim as Jamila Elysse Moss, 34, of Pasadena.

Police headed to the 200 block of South Raymond Avenue after getting calls of gunshots in the area shortly after 10 a.m. Officers found Moss lying outside the apartment complex and facing the nearby train tracks, Cuellar said, adding the victim wasn’t on the railroad tracks. She was unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene.

Police closed off several streets. They determined the suspect was inside the victim’s apartment, Cuellar said. Pasadena and Glendale SWAT teams and crisis negotiators also responded.

Metro A Line train and bus services were also affected for several hours

Shuford is on parole for robbery, police said.

Los Angeles County Superior Court records show he was convicted for a 2010 robbery and sentenced on Feb. 23, 2011 to 13 years in prison.

It wasn’t clear how much of his sentence he served and when he was released.

Shuford was charged on July 25 for possession of a firearm by a felon which occurred on May 25, according to court records. He pleaded not guilty on Aug. 8 and was out bail on that case.

He is currently being held at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles in lieu of $2 million bail.

Pasadena police asked that anyone with information about call them at 626-744-4241. Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Stoppers 800-222-8477 or go to lacrimestoppers.org

Source: Ruby Gonzales, The Mercury News. Click here to view original post. 

Her 24-year-old son, Dylan McGinnis, was shot and killed by alleged shooter Travis Lang, 23, in Indianapolis when McGinnis drove a female friend to meet him.

When the friend and Lang began arguing and she kicked him out of the car, Lang allegedly fired nine bullets into the car on McGinnis’ side, injuring the young woman and killing McGinnis.

As Sterling was in the midst of grieving, she learned additional information about the alleged shooter.

Lang was free on bail out of Marion County with three pending felonies and according to Sterling, it was in part, thanks to the charitable bail organization, The Bail Project.

In January of 2021, The Bail Project posted two separate bonds for Lang: one in the amount of $500 and another in the amount of $5,000.

In July of 2021, additional charges were filed against Lang and a relative posted $150 bond.

Despite failing to appear in court in late July, Lang remained on bail in Indianapolis until his arrest for the murder of McGinnis.

Alleging her son would have not been killed if it weren’t for The Bail Project’s actions, Sterling began advocating for change.

“In 2022, she spoke to media, local legislatures, state representatives and senators to encourage and promote the passing of House Bill 1300, which requires charitable bail organizations to be certified with the Indiana Department of Insurance (IDOI),” said Sterling’s attorney, Drew Kirages.

The Bail Project immediately filed a lawsuit against what they felt was a bill targeted at their specific organization, violating their First Amendment right.

Just last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled against The Bail Project and will require the nonprofit organization be registered and certified with IDOI.

The agency released a statement that read in part: “We’re disappointed by the court’s decision and will be appealing the ruling to the full panel of judges on the Seventh Circuit for additional review. The Bail Project’s services, which are free of charge, help vulnerable low-income Hoosiers who, without our intervention, would remain unnecessarily incarcerated simply because they cannot afford to pay bail amounts set against them.

“For years, we have played a key role in upholding the presumption of innocence in Indiana by filling critical gaps in the provision of supportive services to those who are involved in the pretrial system. Absent our services, thousands of Hoosiers who are still legally presumed innocent, will be forced to remain incarcerated inside hostile, traumatizing jails. We remain steadfast in our conviction that this law is misguided and serves only to emphasize the double standard applied to us, since there are no similar restrictions placed on the for-profit bail bond agents.”

It’s what happens between the release from jail and the next court date that concerns Sterling.

In a new civil lawsuit filed in July of this year, Sterling is suing both The Bail Project and Lang for the death of her son, alleging the organization should have had more knowledge of who they released on bail before doing so, and therefore, contributing to the death of McGinnis.

“The Bail Project has faced similar actions in Kentucky and Nevada and they were successful in getting those cases tossed out by a court,” Kirages said. “We believe our findings will show that The Bail Project knew or should have known that posting Lang’s bond could and would allow him the opportunity to commit a violent crime.”

To Kirage’s knowledge, the organization has not bailed anyone out of jail while the HB1300 law is under review but believes regardless of the outcome, changes still need to be made.

“I would presume, based on the allegations, that The Bail Project didn’t do a proper investigation [when bailing out Lang]. I don’t know if they are still posting bails at this time because they’re currently appealing the new law but the concern is they are not appropriately investigating the individuals before they post bail,” Kirages said.

The civil suit alleges prior to the new law, The Bail Project was acting as a bail or surety agent but without being registered and certified, they can be held liable for their actions.

“In order to post bail for someone you have to be a qualified, certified and registered agent or you need to be over 18 years old, lived in Indiana for a period of time and be related to the person,” Kirages said. “The Bail Project was none of those.”

Kirages expects the next steps in the civil lawsuit will come in mid to late September and will likely be a motion to dismiss from The Bail Project. The process will take several more months before a court date is set.

“I’m not against bail reform,” Kirages said. “What I am against is a huge, nonprofit posting cash bonds without doing the proper investigation necessary.”

Lang’s murder trial is scheduled to begin in Marion County on Aug. 14.

Source: Melissa Gibson, The Lebanon Reporter. Click here to view original link.