Non-fatal Strangulation is an Important Risk Factor for Homicide of Women

Nancy Glass, Kathryn Laughon, Jacquelyn Campbell, Carolyn Rebecca Block, Ginger Hanson, Phyllis W. Sharps, Ellen Taliaferro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

101 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine non-fatal strangulation by an intimate partner as a risk factor for major assault, or attempted or completed homicide of women. A case control design was used to describe non-fatal strangulation among complete homicides and attempted homicides (n = 506) and abused controls (n = 427). Interviews of proxy respondents and survivors of attempted homicides were compared with data from abused controls. Data were derived using the Danger Assessment. Non-fatal strangulation was reported in 10% of abused controls, 45% of attempted homicides, and 43% of homicides. Prior non-fatal strangulation was associated with greater than six-fold odds (odds ratio [OR] 6.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.91-11.49) of becoming an attempted homicide, and over seven-fold odds (OR 7.48, 95% CI 4.53-12.35) of becoming a completed homicide. These results show non-fatal strangulation as an important risk factor for homicide of women, underscoring the need to screen for non-fatal strangulation when assessing abused women in emergency department settings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)329-335
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Emergency Medicine
Volume35
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2008

Keywords

  • intimate partner violence
  • risk of homicide
  • strangulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Emergency Medicine

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