Non-fatal strangulation law comes into effect in Northern Ireland

Police in NI can now charge people with non-fatal strangulation.

It became a standalone offence in Northern Ireland under the Justice, Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims Act 2022, and has now come into effect.

Strangulation is the second most common method of female murder in the UK, after attacks with a knife or sharp instrument.

Over the last 10 years seven people (six women and one man) in Northern Ireland were strangled to death.

Non-fatal strangulation is seen as a red flag for escalating violence in intimate partner relationships and a possible indicator for future risk of murder or attempted murder.