Strangulation that isn’t lethal usually entails someone strangling or obstructing their victim’s capacity to breathe in order to dominate or intimidate them. As part of the government’s Domestic Abuse Act, it has been deemed a specific offence.
Abusers who strangle their partners in an attempt to control or generate terror now risk a maximum sentence of five years in jail under a new law.
As part of the government’s Domestic Abuse Act, it has been deemed a specific offence.
It will apply to British nationals living abroad, allowing for prosecution in England and Wales for crimes committed elsewhere.
The decision was made in response to concerns that criminals were evading punishment because the conduct generally results in little visible injury, making it difficult to prosecute under existing laws like Actual Bodily Harm (ABH).
Meanwhile, a scheme that allows victims and witnesses of crimes like rape and modern slavery to have their cross-examination videotaped and played back later during trial has been expanded to 11 more Crown Courts.
The recording takes place as near to the moment of the crime as possible, while memories are still fresh, and it relieves victims of the burden of testifying in court.
It had already been effectively implemented in 26 other courts.
“These measures, along with introducing a new Victims law, launching a 24/7 rape helpline, recruiting more independent sexual violence advisers, and improving collaboration between police and prosecutors, are all part of our plan to ensure victims get the support and justice they deserve,” Victoria Atkins MP, Minister for Tackling Violence against Women and Girls, said.
“The value of pre-recorded evidence for victims and survivors of sexual trauma is massive as it offers protection from a real and often damaging re-traumatisation and rerun of past events and unwanted experiences,” said Steve Witheyman, service manager at Sexual Trauma and Abuse Restorative Therapies (START) in Hampshire, where the measure was rolled out last month.
“This is a tremendous step forward in the criminal justice system and a substantial shift in thinking where actually helping a victim becomes a key component of the entire process, and it will surely encourage more victims to disclose sexual crime in the future.”
